Category Archives: DIY

Accessory moment no.2

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I know I’m way overdue with this so I’m going to try and post a second accessory moment at some point this week. I haven’t totally mastered fitting my blogging schedule around my other deadlines yet but I think I’m getting better.

Last weeks accessories were all about the spikes. I needed them to toughen up my otherwise girly and “safe” outfit.

1. Spike headband. I’m sure you’ve seen these all over the place by now but I decided I kind of wanted one so I DIYed it, It was very easy. I used a strip of leather but you could use whatever you want really, I just made some holes along it and stuck some spikes in. Then I bought a plastic hair band from my local fabric store and super glued the leather around it.

2. I’ve been getting really into statement earrings at the moment. Haven’t ever really worn hoops before but I love these spiked ones. I’m sure I could find some quirky boutique that sells similar for £30 but these are just off ebay for £6. The same shop also had some other nice ones which I had to buy while I was finding the link for you guys.

3. Chrome stretchy spike bracelet. This was bought for me a gift and is from NO:WEAR in Camden market but I’ve also seen them around online. I have a black variant which I wear more often but this one is also fun sometimes.

I’ve just noticed that the earrings look like they shine different colours in the light!

I also changed some of my body jewellery this week and found that Body jewellery shop is a great site to get blackline and internally threaded stuff.

Style update: Long earrings

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Since starting to stretch my lobes 4 or 5 years ago I hadn’t really been interested in “conventional” earring types. This may have had something to with the fact that I’m allergic to a lot of the cheaper ones and can’t wear them for long periods of time. When I was younger, I always had to find real gold or silver ones. As I got more piercings and moved over to body jewellery I found that I was fine as surgical steel and titanium don’t irritate my ears.

I recently realised that as I already have permanent body jewellery in the holes that doesn’t irritate me, it’s fine to put other “fashion” earrings through the same hole for effect. After experimenting with a few different types I decided long earring really complement my current style. I love them so I decided to share a few of my favourites with you guys.

1. Feather earrings

These were the first ones I got so the feathers are a bit battered now but I thought they lasted quite well. They are from Topshop and cost £18. They weren’t on the website but might still be available in store. If not there are loads of similar ones around, though I must admit I haven’t seen any I like as much.

2. Spike earrings

As you can see these aren’t both the same. They were custom made for me by Cloe from Life’s big canvas at Bird’s yard and I couldn’t decide which one I like best so I got one of each to try them out. I think asymmetrical earrings can look really cool and I’m glad I got them like this but matching pairs are also available. At £9.00 they are very reasonably priced, just like the rest of the life’s big canvas ever-growing jewellery collection. I find something new and interesting every time I go into that shop!

3. Long multichain earringsThese are pretty simple but also something I’ve wanted for a while. They go with almost everything and are a great compliment to other earrings. I made them myself and it was really easy, all you need it the earring hook, a jump ring and an assortment of chains in different lengths. For those who are too lazy to DIY there are available to purchase for £8.00 and will also be added to my site soon.

4. Bird claw earrings

These are definitely my new favourites and were custom made for me by the lovely Sophie Adamson. I’ve wanted some earrings like this for a while but couldn’t find anything like them. Obviously people sell the straight bird feet ones but I always thought they looked a bit naff so when I heard Sophie had some pheasants in the freezer (yes, they are real) I had to commission a pair. I only gave her a description and a really crude sketch to go by and she did a really amazing job. I would definitely recommend her for taxidermy accessories commissions.

Here are some pictures of what they look like on:

DIY Crystal Dr. Martens

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Last year I was given a pair of patent white, 8-hole dr. Martens by a friend. They were factory second’s so not as perfect as ones you would buy from a store but still comfy and durable enough to wear on a regular basis. The term on which she agreed to give them to me was that I would do something to them to make them more attractive and get some wear out of them. I must admit they sat in the bottom of my wardrobe for a few months before I finally decided what I should do with them. The idea came to me in fall when brogues were in but I couldn’t quite decide if they were “booty” enough for every day wear and I discovered that crystal-encrusted items don’t have to look tacky.

I decided to cover the toe and heel of the boots in black diamante, with the shape on the toe slightly resembling wing tips. I was quite pleased with the outcome so I decided to photograph the process and do a tutorial for anyone else who would like to decorate some old shoes.

This is what they looked like when I got them.

I started by forming the wingtip design on the toe.

Then I started covering the rest of the area.

When they were done I replaced the dirty white laces with black ribbon laces which looked much better. I got impatient and wore them out a couple of times in this state which is when I realised that this ribbon was too thin and frayed a lot so I decided to change it.

I replaced the laces with a polka dot grosgrain pair that came as a spare with the new docs I got for xmas (they also came with black grosgrain laces). I really like the look of the thicker grosgrain lace but I’m not sure the polka dot is right for these.

I also bought some clear enamel which I painted over the crystals to keep them in place. A couple of coats should do it.

I then started on the back with some larger crystals first and then placing the smaller ones in between them.

When you first paint the enamel on it will look quite white (like on the boot on the right). Don’t worry, it dries clear.

I finally bought a roll of black grosgrain ribbon! It was actually to use on products for the new Eustratia range I’m working on but it happened to be exactly same width as that used as laces on my docs.

I cut the grosgrain into a fork and burned the ends to stop fraying.

probably need straightening out a bit but they look something like this!

Crystals!

and this is what they look like on my foot. I hope to get some nicer pictures wearing these out soon! If anyone else tries customising their shoes I’d love to see pics!

p.s. I’ve only just noticed today that Dr. Martens are releasing a Swarovski scattered style! They are nice but I don’t think I’m going to have £450 to spend on a pair in the near future so I’ll just stick to my customising :)