Gypsy Gems Headband

I'm loving these Beadmixer rhinestones!

I've decided to make some gypsy-style bohemian headbands, and it couldn't have been easier.

All I had to do was buy the rhinestones and settings from Beadmixer. Simply glue the 8mm rhinestones in the 8mm settings. Connect the sides with jump rings and then add chain for the back of your head.

For the blue rhinestone headband, I added red teardrop rhinestones  in-between the other chat on (the circular ones) rhinestones. 

These are so easy to make, there is no need for a tutorial! Plus, Beadmixer has a lot of great colors and you can get silver findings if you like silver better than gold.

Be sure to check out the Beadmixer site, ESPECIALLY if you love to use vintage rhinestones.

You can also connect with Beadmixer through their:

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Wear one at a time, or layer up for serious boho sparkle!

All copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not post/use without linking back to me!

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.

Jubilee Bracelets-- "Handmade Holiday Project 002"

My second installment in my "Handmade Holiday" initiative; my Jubilee Bracelets!

These bracelets just sparkle and shine, and look like candies when worn. With minimal materials but maximum wow factor, these little ditties can be whipped up quick, and are great to give as small gifts for the holidays.

Just like my Arizona Sparkle earrings, these require no advanced skills to make, and you don't have to shell out a lot of money. What's great about these is that with the addition of chunky crystals and slick metal chain, they only look expensive! There is no need for a clasp on this, the stretchy cord gives enough to fit over your hand.

If you want to make these bracelets for yourself (yes, you do), these are great to add to any outfit for a bit of sparkle and shine. Pair a basic black maxi dress with a beaded, boho cardigan and comfy moccasins. Finish off with a simple zip-top purse and loads of stacking bracelets, including the Jubilee bracelets! So cool, with a bit of gypsy-meets-evening look, great for running around shopping in the city!

*Outfit Credits* Dress by ISSA, sweater by Hoss Intropia, shoes by Minnetonka, bag by Fossil.

Don't they just look like a party?!

I got all of my materials at Michaels, and these are all Cousin products. I have attached a printable shopping list under step 1 for easy shopping; all of these Cousin materials can be bought at a Michaels, JoAnn Fabrics, even Walmart and AC Moore craft stores!

I layered mine with mixed metal bracelets and bangles, even throwing in my Delicate Crystal Tassel Bracelet for good measure. Add a statement ring and you're all set!

Are we ready to go?

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are roundnose pliers and cutters, gold/antique gold cable chain, 6 or 8mm rondelle crystals, clear stretch cord, crimps and 4mm gold crimp covers. 

Click here for a printable shopping list!

Step 2: Measure your wrist (if making this as gifts, the average wrist size is 7.5"). Double that amount, and take off 2". Cut a piece of chain this long. Cut another piece of chain this long. With about 4" of stretch cord, string on a crimp, then through the last link of each piece of chain, then back through the crimp and pull tight. Crimp the bead so that it locks the cord in place. Cut off the excess stretch cord, flush to the crimp.Take a crimp cover and place over your crimp, and close it by squeezing your pliers on it. The ends should meet and be flush and clean.

Step 3: String on five crystals to the stretch cord, then another crimp bead. String through the other two last links of chain, then back through the crimp bead, and pull the cord tight. Crimp the bead, cut off excess string, and add the gold crimp cover. Crimp shut.

You are finished!

What's great about these is that you can use different colored chain, and mix and match crystals to create truly unique pieces. I love mixing metals, because the look becomes very boho-chic!

If you really wanted a holiday look, use green and red crystals with silver chain. These are great to wear any time of the year, and I'm sure anyone would love to get these as a gift! The chunky crystals definitely remind me of candies, and the mix of rose gold and shiny gold chain, along with the coated crystals, add just the right touch to any holiday party (or everyday) look!

Enjoy and be merry!

If you share/use/post this tutorial, you must link back to me please. All photos  

copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not use photos without crediting me!

Autumn Wood Keychain Charm

This is a simple and quick tutorial for a cool keychain charm. I was inspired by the turn of fall, and these super unique wood-print acrylic beads by Cousin Corporation. I thought mixing them with other textures, but beads of the same color, would make for a nice decoration for my key fob!

This kind of has a tribal-meets-backwoods feel to it, which I like! You can really use any "bead soup" here; feel free to make a combination of beads and colors you prefer!

Just a little something extra to spice up a boring keyring!

Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are scissors, a key ring, wood beads (I used small 5mm ones), wood print acrylic beads (I used Cousin Flat Gold Beads), hemp cord (I used Cousin Brown Cord) and gemstone beads (I used Cousin Amber Gemstones).

Step 2: Cut a 4' length of your hemp and fold in half; at the center, make a Lark's Head knot (thread the open ends through the top loop and pull tight.

Step 2: String on one wood acrylic bead and make a square knot. Add on one large wood bead, make a double square knot, and one gemstone bead (make another double square knot).

You can reference my tutorial here on how to make those double square knots.  

After your gemstone bead, add on the square acrylic wood bead. To finish, add small 5mm wood beads on each hemp string; make a knot to hold the beads on and then trim the strings.

How easy?! This pattern is great because you can mix and match the beads to suit your style. I used a mix of woodsy beads and gemstones. If brighter colors are for you, feel free to use them!

This color combo and texture combo is super cool, and is pretty gender-neutral. These are great for guys and gals, because we all have keys! Why not make them look cooler?!!

If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. It is much appreciated! All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling.