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

Fourth of July Roundup

american dreams earrings

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These shooting star earrings evoke what the Fourth's all about; sparkles, dreams, celebration! Easy video tutorial with full materials list and online links.
☆ View the post here

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bohemian beaded headband

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Ok so this is a Fourth showstopper; and using pre-made beaded chain really allows you to zip through the process. If you want to be THE talk of any weekend party, I'd recommend this tutorial. Just be ready for too many compliments.
☆ View the post here

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lyric drop necklace

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So if you're into a little bit of summer boho style, check out this edgy beaded pendant necklace tutorial. Using seed beads and bugle beads makes for cool contrast, and it's perfect for hippie summers!
☆ View the post here

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red hearts manicure

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Need a last-minute manicure? This bright red, simply chic one will definitely do the trick!
☆ View the post here

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rocker wrap bracelet

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Rock out on the Fourth with this wrap bracelet tutorial, for girls and guys! The bright silver reminds me of firecrackers, and is the perfect compliment to any casual barbecue outfit!
☆ View the post here

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American Dream Earrings

I usually don't post holiday-related tutorials, but I had all these components laying around and couldn't resist. My American Dream earrings were made to look like shooting stars, so very fitting for the Fourth of July.



I used all Cousin Corporation materials, which you can pick up at any major craft store: Michaels, JoAnn Fabrics, AC Moore, Meijer and even Walmart. I first posted this video on my Snapchat (follow me @thequietlion for more exclusive tutorials and giveaways!) but have attached it below in case you missed it. They come together pretty quick, it's just a matter of measuring chain and connecting all the charms that's the most tedious.



Here's a list of the specific jewelry-making materials I used:

-Cousin Jewelry Basics 9pc Metal Charm Shapes - I used just the star shapes from this pack, which includes hearts and clovers.
-Cousin Jewelry Basics 8mm Siam Round Crystals
-Cousin Jewelry Basics 8mm Sapphire Round Crystals
-Silver link chain
-26g Silver Wire
-Silver Fishhooks, 4mm Jumprings, Silver Headpins
-Roundnose, Flatnose pliers and wire cutters

Follow the video from my Snapchat below for the tutorial!

Disclaimer : No Doughnuts were harmed in the making of this tutorial! ☺

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

Vintage Earring Redux

I love me some vintage jewelry.



Especially the kind that's been loved a little too much - i.e. paint chipping, rhinestones missing, broken chain. It gives me creative freedom to rescue these pieces, just like on the show American Pickers.  Except I'm like an American Jewelry Picker. I like to dig through piles of forgotten treasures at yard sales and flea markets and re-imagine pieces in a new light.



These earrings, however, came from my Grandma's closet. I was given them to "do with what I wanted", and I obviously had to glam them up just a bit! Using a bit of sparkly nail polish and Swarovski flat backs gave these vintage gems a whole new look. Doesn't a bit of Swarovski just fix everything?!



As you know, I love anything that has a story. Vintage jewelry (or anything vintage really) is a passion of mine. In a lot of tutorials, you'll see me using chandelier crystal taken from a broken 1930s lamp. I reuse these as beads and pendants to have the "spirit" of the lamp move on!



This tutorial really allows for customization on your earrings. Look below!



Step 1: Gather materials. You will need vintage earrings, nail polish, super glue or E6000 glue, Swarovski rhinestones and nail polish remover, just to be safe.



Step 2: Paint sections of the filigree with nail polish. I only chose to paint some, to keep a vintage look. Glue on rhinestones with the E6000 glue or super glue.
 

Step 3: Keep adding gems until you reach the desired look. On the silver earrings, I used Super Glue - it's not necessarily recommended, because Super Glue leaves a white haze on the gems upon drying. But, you can easily remove this haze. Simply use a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover to wipe the top of the crystal, completely dissolving the white haze and leaving your rhinestone sparkly as new!



Feel free to adorn as much or as little as you want. Let the design of the piece inspire you!



You could also use this technique on pendants and such.


I like the mix of colors and textures. I almost always use nail polish as a quick fix to add a lacquer-like finish to metals and such. It's a cheap alternative to enameling.



These would totally be a retro-glam accent to any outfit. Don't you agree?! If you follow this tutorial, post your final product to Instagram and tag me @quietlioncreations. I'll repost you!



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

Swarovski Innovations 2016

So you all know I love me some Swarovski. And there's definitely a lot to love in their Innovations Spring/Summer 2016 line. Courtesy Cousin Corporation, I was sent a sample-sized collection of Swarovski crystal goodness to preview. I feel like they went totally bohemian with this collection, and I'm not complaining. Taken straight from the Swarovski website:

"Swarovski, the global leader in cut crystal and fashion jewelry, introduces its dazzling new loose crystal assortment of cuts, colors, effects and line extensions for Spring/Summer 2016. Inspired by the season’s inspiration, ‘Between Heaven and Earth’."

Their new Buddha Fancy Stone, Hand of Fatima Fancy Stone, Pure Drop Pendant and Greek Cross Pendant are some of my favorites. Plus, I'm really feeling topaz this season. I never have really used "yellow" or topaz-hued beads in my designs before, so I think it's time to try. Be on the lookout for new tutorials and creations with these components!

Photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not post/reuse without crediting me!

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!