Punk Rock Nails- Fall 2013

Punk is in! Spurred by the Met Gala back in spring of this year, this fall all things punk are totally in style. From studs, leather and spikes to tartan fabrics and more, get ready to sport some rebellious attire this autumn! My most favorite look from the Gala was Cara Delevingne, head to toe in Louis Vuitton. Ahhh-mazing. Since we all know fashion is moving at least a half-year ahead of us, just now the style is becoming mainstream. And of course, a part of every outfit is definitely your manicure!

I went with a very simplified punk theme; mixing patterns and dark colors and topping it off with some nail "studs". Simplified plaid, along with a dip-dye nail and houndstooth pattern make for cool elements contrasted by the simpler middle and pinkie fingers.

This is actually a very simple manicure, but it does require a nail stamping plate for the houndstooth nail (index finger). If you don't have one feel free to hand-paint or do a plaid nail, like on the ring finger!

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are nail pearls, a Konad (or BundleMonster) nail stamp and scraper, the BundleMonster BM19 plate, and varying colors of nail polish: gunmetal (I used Sally Hansen), red (I used OPI I'm not a Waitress), white, and deep purple (I used OPI Lincoln Park after Dark) and then a red nail art polish (with the long skinny brush). 

Step 2: Paint your nails (two coats): thumb= gunmetal, index= white, middle= red, ring=gunmetal, and pinkie= deep purple. On your index finger, use your Bundle Monster plate #19, the houndstooth-like pattern. Add one coat of your deep purple over it and stamp on your finger, over the white. For more information on this technique, look at my Zebra Neon Nails tutorial!

Step 3: It should look like this! Now, on your ring finger, use your long-tipped brush to make a plaid pattern; two vertical stripes of red, one stripe of white in the middle. Paint over with another red stripe.

Step 4: On your middle finger, add a nail pearl (black) on the bottom; adhere with a bit of clear nail polish and press down. Add a red pearl at the bottom of your pinkie. On your thumb, create a tie-dye effect with red, white and more gunmetal. For more info on how to do this, look at Step 3 of my Neon Zebra Nails tutorial. Paint everything with a top coat (except your index finger, it will smear the pattern if you do!) and let dry completely.

This is just simple enough, and not too punk-y (for those who are not huge fans of the look!). If you would like to use different colors, if you are not a punk fan at all, feel free to; this in a pastel theme could turn from punk-y to sweet, or all rainbow brights would really make a statement! Feel free to do it your own way! That is what punk is really all about!

Photos (except first) copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Please do not use/post without linking back and crediting me! 

'Tis the Season.. Swirl Mint Bobby Pins!

I know it's somewhat early for thinking of "holiday time"...... But it's never too early to think of cool accessory ideas! These simple bobby pins are great to whip up quickly for yourself or any gifts or favors, holiday or not!

The 'Tis the Season theme coincides with Cousin's new launch of their product line in both AC Moore Craft Stores (all along the east coast)  and Beverly's (for all my California followers!) This 'Tis the Season line features all different cute charms, beads and findings that are super cute and great for making all sorts of jewelry or crafts! The whole collection can be seen here, or buy them at Prima bead online!

To follow Beverly's on Facebook, click here!

To follow AC Moore on Facebook, click here! 

To follow Cousin on Facebook, click here!

Both have great jewelry ideas, tutorials, promotions, sales and other cool things for craft DIY-ers!

These would be great as handmade holiday presents! You could even make these in different colors for different holidays; maybe try these cool orange beads and black crystals for a spooky halloween vibe!

I used colored bobby pins to coordinate the look, and for it to be a little fancier.

Let's get started!

*MATERIALS NEEDED*

-Two bobby pins

-Cousin 24G gold wire

-Cousin Jewelry Basics 4mm Clear Crystals

-Cousin Tis The Season Swirl Acrylic Beads

Step 1: Cut about 2' of your wire. About 1" from the end of the wire, start wrapping right at the bend of the bobby pin; wrap about 5 wraps, nice and tight to secure wire on. Add on a 4mm crystal. Secure the crystal by wrapping the wire twice around the top arm of the bobby pin, right up against the bead.

Step 2: Add on one swirl bead; wrap again twice right after this bead, pulling the wraps tight up against the bead to secure. Continue; add on two more swirl beads, wrapping twice in between the beads. Add on the last 4mm bead and wrap all the way to the end; cut the wire flush when you reach the end!

Quick, simple, easy!

I like to put them on a topknot for a cool but hip look.

Pattern and all photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Please do not use/post without linking back and 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.

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!

Delicate Crystal Tassel Bracelets

These dainty bracelets by Orelia are some of my favorites. I love to layer bracelets, and these lend themselves very well to that! They have a cool simplicity but still are unique with that cotton tassel at the clasp. The addition of a small metal bead in center sets them apart from just any other crystal bracelet!

My tutorial will show you how to create bracelets inspired by these designs, and they actually come together super-quick! You can make a ton of these in no time at all. Stick with a solid color crystal and use the same color throughout the bracelet. For the tassel, use a contrasting color for a pop!

I used Cousin Brand crystals, beading wire and metal beads for this project. Follow Cousin on Facebook and Twitter  for cool sweeps and other awesome projects! 

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are pliers, beading wire (I used from Cousin), embroidery floss, a jumpring, two crimps, a clasp, and 4mm crystals (I used the grey crystals from Cousin's Jewelry Basics Pearl/Crystal Mix), and finally a 4mm metal decorative bead (I used Cousin's Fluted Silver beads).

Step 2: Cut a length of your beading wire that is the lenght you want your bracelet, plus 2". Add a crimp and clasp to the very end. Start stringing on your crystals. When you get to the center of your bracelet, add on your metal bead. Add on the rest of the crystals to finish out your bracelet. This pack has enough crystals to get one bracelet finished! You can use the pearls to make many other things, such as my Mathias Chaize bracelets!

Step 3: Make a tassel. Take your embroidery floss, and wrap 9 times around your index and middle fingers. Cut the thread at the bottom of the wrap. Gently take off your fingers (do NOT wrap super-tight!)

Step 4: Add a jumpring to catch all the wraps; then, cut a small piece of floss and tie a knot around all the threads, right under the jumpring. Cut flush to the tassel.

Cut off the ends horizontally, creating your tassel! Make sure all the ends are the same length. Add this jumpring onto your bracelet; finish by adding a crimp, then your clasp, and then thread back through the crimp. Pull the wire to tighten, and then crimp shut and cut the excess wire flush.

I kept the scheme sophisticated and cool; neutrals with a pop of red and blue! However, if you like brighter accessories, go Kate Spade on us try a combo of emerald crystals with watermelon-pink floss! Go nautical with a mix of red floss and blue crystals, with a white pearl in the center.

Follow the fall fashion trends with a pastel mix of aurora borealis-coated clear crystals with a pale pink tassel.

Guys could even make these with wood beads, and a metal bead center.

The possibilities are endless!

These literally took me less than 10 minutes to make. These would also be great friendship beads, maybe if you had a heart bead center, or even a metal alphabet bead.

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