The Quiet Lion

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Two Snakes Chokers

One snake, two snakes, these reptilian chokerssssss ooze dark glam. Chokers are blowing up in social media these days, but they've come a long way from the 90's-style tattoo look. The modern take is all about mixing textures and finishes, then layering for a bohemian statement.

I easily made these by taking faux flat snake leather and focal sliders (mine from Cousin Corporation ), mixing and matching for different combos. Finish with simple ribbon ends, clasps and extender chain.

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

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Aloha Spirit - Summer Preview 2016

The bright coconut white of a Hawaiian classic provides a milky backdrop for my Summer 2016 collection preview. With the same cool, calm and collected charisma as the Big Island, an easygoing color palette of peacock greens, limoncello yellow, rustic clay browns and hints of plumeria purple comprise the base elements of the collection. Hawaiian pearls, natural agate, capiz shell and faceted jewels merge to combine a mostly-earthen mix, mimicking the materials you'd find at any roadside rock shop. A dainty hand was key in a majority of the pieces - teensy labradorite teardrops hang from faceted sterling chain, and hand-applied metallic mandalas stay true to the magic of the tropics. Gilded gemstones sparkle and shine with each and every golden fleck. Beaded rosary-style chain sways and moves like the straw skirts of a luau dancer.

Sit back, grab a pina colada and listen to the ukulele.

Monday, June 13, 2016

Spellcheck Bangles

My new bitty bangles spell out a statement - of which you choose! Pair alphabet slider beads with embroidery floss and rhinestone spacers for simple to make - yet definitely unique - accessories!

If it were up to me entirely, I'd create an entirely black set that said something slightly sassy - but it's the Internet, and I want to spread those good vibes. For all my boho souls and gypsies, this one's for you!

Follow below for the full tutorial.

Step 1: Gather materials. You will need embroidery floss, rhinestone alphabet sliders (or any kind of alphabet slider bead -- mix metals for a bohemian feel!), plain skinny bangle bracelets and super glue.

Simply arrange on your alphabet sliders on the bangle, in your chosen word or phrase.

Cut a 2 foot piece of embroidery floss and fold in half. Use an overhand knot to secure it near the middle of the bangle, or wherever your word starts.

Hold the knot and wrap the thread tightly around the bangle, all the way to the end.

Secure with another knot, and superglue in place. Wrap the other side of the bangle in the same manner.

Stack them up or wear along -- the choice is yours!
I love the effect of tie dye embroidery floss, which is what I used here. I grabbed it at JoAnn Fabrics -- they should sell some sort of floss in every craft store, though!

Spell your heart out people,,,,,just keep it somewhat appropriate. Or don't. :)

Friday, June 3, 2016

earn your stars

All photography: Delane Ashley Photography

Any true Chicagoan will instantly recognize those stars - along with deep dish, the Friendly Confines, Buckingham Fountain and the Madhouse on Madison, these iconic Windy City elements are definitely unmissable.

A row of storage units is an unlikely place to shoot, but I love the unexpected creamy yellow tone and stucco. Perfectly minimal. Twenty-three for my age (also Jordan's number), shout out to all other 90s kids!

My gypsy soul Bianca at MhmThatGirl.com custom made this badass tunic for me, using a h*o*l*o*g*r*a*p*h*i*c transfer for that instant rave-chic look. Bianca rocks at creating tees, accessories and more for all free spirits -- check out her new instashop here!

In usual QL style, I paired this top with black, black and more black, but casually threw in handmade jewels, as always required. Iridescent hues of ice pink, space-age purple and sky blue perfectly complimented the metallic holo, and sneaks kept the look sporty. Those rubber bracelets, that were popular for goth kids back in 8th grade? I still wear them.

In true Khloe Kardash-style, the half-bun and silver hoops plus black choker equal a touch of sassy glam. I'm not sassy and usually not glam, but I can sometimes fake it to make it. Maybe not? Ok, don't answer that. Top it off with oversized sunnies like a true celeb.

Go Cubs and Go Blackhawks!

The images within this post are all copyright Delane Ashley Photography for Quiet Lion Creations. Please don't steal these photos. It's bad karma. :)

Saturday, May 28, 2016

riverstone wrap bracelets

The simply subdued moss greens, frost blues and light sage combine perfectly here in these wrapped arm adornments. Using small pieces of thin gauge wire to wrap on stones, crystals and pearls to leather cording creates lightweight, eclectic bracelets that definitely look sophisticated.

I've chosen beads that all fit within this very calming color scheme. You could totally mix up the look by using bright colored leather and tropical beads (wood, shell, painted, etc) to create a totally tiki-chic look! Or, go with a neutral color scheme of black, gold and silver for something surely glam. No matter what the theme you pick, the technique always remains the same. It's all about those wraps, bout the wraps, bout the wraps.

I'll spell out the entire steps below -- read on!

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are an assortment of beads (gemstones, crystals, metal --great gemstone mix here), lobster clasps, 6mm open jump rings, 28g craft wire, leather or suede cord, wire cutters and flatnose pliers.

Step 2: Cut a piece of leather that is 3X the width of your wrist (usually 7 or 7.5 inches), plus 2". Thread a jumpring .5" from the end of the leather. Bend the leather backwards, capturing the jumpring in the loop. Use another jumpring to secure this loop, squishing it closed around both pieces of leather. This is a super easy way to end leather, no cord ends necessary!

Step 3: Cut a 4" piece of wire. Wrap snugly about 1.5" from the end of the leather, then string on a bead. Wrap the wire around the leather again to secure this bead in place.
Wrap on more beads, or cut the wire flush to the leather to finish off.

Step 4: Continue with this wire wrapping method, wrapping on random beads (mix it up for an eclectic look!) anywhere from 1-2" apart from each other on the leather strand. When you've reached about 2.5" from the end, thread on another jumpring.

Step 5: Secure the end, repeating Step 1's method. Use additional jump rings to add a lobster clasp to one side.

Simply wrap the bracelets around your wrist and clasp to close. These look even better when stacked with more wraps, in a cool color scheme. You could also wear these as necklaces, too, or even try as anklets! Very versatile!