Rhinestones « a pair & a spare

DIY INSPO: PHILLIP LIM SS13

26th March 2013

Just when you thought you’d seen every incarnation of rhinestones possible, Mr Lim reinvents them in the form of flower (and faintly bullet hole) shaped embellishments on a grunge tee. Who said that rhinestones had to be pretty, girly and only for nights out with your gal pals? Done right they’re just as suited to a meet up downtown with your ‘crew’ (or something along those lines).

And while we’re at it, can we talk for a second about some other noteworthy, ie DIYable, details from the Spring collection? Namely the tie waisted skirts (art imitating life if you ask me) and the leopard sleeved sweater which is just screaming out for an amateur attempt. Let’s here it for Spring!

Images by me.

In Inspiration Inspiration Beads, Rhinestones, Runway, Studs

DIY SHOUROUK INSPIRED PVC & RHINESTONE NECKLACE

20th November 2012

The holiday season is in full swing and over the next couple of weeks I’m looking forward to sharing with you loads of super fun DIY projects which will get you through the party season looking and feeling super chic. Get ready for sequins, rhinestones, paillettes and so much holiday sparkle! First up? A necklace fit for a party queen. Inspired by the amazing Shourouk pieces I’ve been seeing everywhere, I had some rhinestones left over from my embellished duffle bag and decided to make my own version. Read on to see how (you’ll be surprised how easy it is).

You need:
- Some rhinestones, I used Swarovski ones which are gorgeous
- A square of transparent PVC
- E6000 glue
- Chain
- A large clasp
- Jump rings
- Scissors
- Beading plyers
- A needle and thread
- Paper
- A pen or pencil

DIY Sharouk Inspired Necklace by a pair & a spare

1. Start by drawing up the template for your necklace.

2. Cut your template out.

3. Your template should look like this, or really any shape you want.

4. Stick the template to the PVC piece and cut it out.

5. This is what it should look like.

6. Lay out your design on the table.

7. Put some glue on a piece of paper.

8. Starting at the bottom, put some glue onto the rhinestones using a skewer or toothpick.

9. Press the rhinestones onto the pvc, working your way upwards and copying the pattern on the table.

10. This is what it should look like when you are done. Let it dry overnight.

11. Once it is dry, thread your needle and then fold the top edges of the pvc over to create loops for the chain. Sew it down with one or two stitches and then glue another rhinestone over the top of the stitch to hide it.

12. Thread two pieces of chain through each plastic loop and then attach the lobster clasps to one side and close the other side of chain with a jump ring.

This is the perfect piece for a party, worn with a chic outfit of black wrap skirt, simple grey marl or cream tee and killer heels!

Wearing: DIY Necklace and A Boy Named Sue sweat shirt. (I can’t wait to show you the gorgeous holiday video I shot yesterday using this sweater!). Thanks Sam for the photos!

Next on my list of transparent projects to tackle? This amazing bag!

In My DIY Inspiration Chain, Rhinestones

DIY COACH DUFFLES AT #FNO

10th September 2012

I can’t explain how much fun it was to work with Coach on their DIY Legacy Duffle project for Fashion’s Night Out in New York last week. It was amazing to see what the DIY bloggers had done to their bags – Geri and Sophie from Because I’m Addicted made super cute colour blocked bags, Jenni did an Isabel Marant inspired tribal stitching, and Caili and Sam embellished theirs with distressed denim strips (and I did this one). It was so cool to see everyone’s different ideas and style come to life – and in person no less! Thank you so much to all of you who came and packed out the store and to Coach for having us, it was definitely a night worth remembering!