Tom Binns Inspired Earrings Tutorial

I've had a ' Creative Crush ' on Tom Binns for quite a while now and often look to him for inspiration. His designs go quite well with my style sensibility of a classic base with a crazy twist. I'm still not spending $ 500 to buy his very DIY friendly collection.

The earrings I made aren't as crazy colourful as his are, keeping in my mind the festive season and my mood, but you can go as bold as you want! Ah! The wonders of DIY! 

You will need :

• 2 large crystals
• Rhinestone chain
• Flat back earrings
• Nail Paint
• Extra Strong Glue ( I used FeviBond)

First get a rough idea of your design and save it in you head. You can draw/write it down if you're a technical person. I usually just go with it. Measure your rhinestone trim according to your design and cut it. You can also break it off by just twisting the chain.

Now paint the rhinestones the desired colour. Its really easy to apply, but just to be safe do it on a newspaper. I still can't paint my nails without the paint ending up every where else. Leave it to dry for a few minutes.

Try different colours and pairs (this is where you can go crazy). I chose this scheme mainly because these were the only shades I had. I'm pretty punk with my nails and just realized that I need more pop colours in my life (mainly hands)!

Once its dry you can check if you like the colour scheme. You can add another coat of nail paint for a more intense colour. Or a top coat for durability.

Now glue the trim to the crystal. I used FeviBond. The instructions said to put glue on both surfaces and leave for 15 mins. Then attach both surfaces and dry for a couple of hours. You really need to use a strong adhesive because we're dealing with metal. Be very careful with the glue and your skin. I glued my hands shut a couple of time (and lived to tell the tale). If you get it on your skin just get of as soon as possible and you'll be fine!

Use the same gluing process to add the second line of trim. You may go on and add more or make it longer if you're comfortable. I'm gonna stop right here.

Now flip them around and stick the earrings to the back. Let it rest in this position for atleast an hour before wearing.

And your gorgeous Tom Binns Inspired earrings are ready at a fraction of the price and VERY custom made! I'm going to make a few more in a variety of colours and design! I'll post more on Facebook and Instagram so have a look!

Blingy Knuckle Rings Tutorial

After the popularity of the Multi Finger Rings and the Claw rings, the new accesory to adorn your digits is the (wrongly named) Knuckle Ring. It's placement is far from the knuckle, sitting just below the nail. These babies can be delicate lines of silver and gold or chunky creations with stones, bling and even fake metal nails. My favourite Indian accesory designer Valliyan by Nitya Arora makes them unapologetically chunky. They're perfect for a touch of 'badass' to your delicately manicured hands. I don't care, I love it.

Here's how we make them :

• Rings (from a supply store)
• Embellishments (Gems, studs, etc)
• Glue

You can either buy rings in a smaller size (try them in the store) or buy adjustable rings and squeeze them to the perfect size. Trial and error baby!

Use fingers/hammers/boyfriends/dads depending on availability and pain threshold to flatten the prongs as much as possible so they stay the desired size.

Apply a large glob of glue on the flat surface and stick on the desired embellishment. 

Leave them alone in this position till the glue dries. The glob of glue was huge, so it will take a while to dry. Use a hair dryer to speed things up if you have zero patience.

Stick 'em on, sit back, admire them, instagram them.

Share your DIY creations with #supershinystuff or @supershinystuff! 

Super Quick DIY : Pimp My Flip Flops

Sometimes, you can make ordinary things into super shiny stuff in a matter of minutes!

Trust me, when people mock flip flops, they're either fooling you or themselves. EVERYONE loves flip flops. They're comfy and funky and immediately transport you to an exotic beach location.

You can, however, glam them up! Follow the steps below :

You will need 

• One pair of Flip Flops (Mine are Havaianas)
• One pair of earrings (Mine are ear cuffs from Vero Moda)

Use the sharp edge of the earring to pierce through the rubber. Mine went in quite easily. In case yours doesn't, use a sharp needle first.

Align the bling perfectly and secure the earrings with the backs. It's best if they have plastic or button backs that don't pierce the sharp part into your foot (Ouch). In case they don't, use a scissor to cut it as close to the back as possible and then apply a glob of super glue. Once its dry, it won't be dangerous. You can stick the lower part of the earring with super glue, if you want. I like having the option of changing the bling according to my mood ( Also known as commitment issues :P)

And that's about it! No mess. No stress. Pretty feet!

Style with clean feet, pretty nail paint and a summer dress.

Chevron Paint Swatch Ombre Statement Necklace Tutorial

The awesome thing about running an independent blog is that your tutorials can have super long weird names.

Another awesome thing is that you can go on vacation and get lazy and not post anything for a while and no one can hold you responsible. I'm sorryyy but I've been busy working on the website (which, according to my calculations, should be up in a couple of weeks)!!!

This week I used Paint Swatches from Asian Paints to create this necklace.

You will need : 

• Paint Swatches (Available at any Paint Store. Just pretend a little)
• Plastic sheet
• Chain
• Jump rings
• Lobster clasps
• Scale
• Pencil
• Glue

Choose your colour combinations. I made a purple and a red. 

Warning : Paint colours usually have delicious names. You may get some strange cravings. 

Now use a ruler to measure and draw the above shape on each colour. I made two arrow heads with a distance of one centimeter in the middle.

Cut them out and place them on the plastic sheet. I chose to go Ombre. You can try rainbow or clashing colours as well.

Using a strong glue, paste the colours together onto the plastic sheet. Once it's dry, cut out the whole shape. Use this opportunity to make your neck piece as neat as possible. 

Make two holes at the top and insert the jump rings. Measure the chain depending on how long you want it and attach to the jump rings. You can keep one short, like the picture, as a statement necklace and one long that reaches just above the navel. Finish with another jump ring and lobster clasp.

While styling, keep your outfit solid. Try not to mix too many colours to keep the focus on the necklace. Black, white, chambray and monotones work well. Match either your shoes or bag or lipstick with your accessory.

Pop Art Inspiration Cuffs Tutorial

A new trend I'm in love with is perspex or clear plastic accessories. Reminds me of the swimming bags we used to have as kids. Such a fun trend! My favorite perspex accessories designers have got to be Charlotte Olymia and Chanel

For my perspex DIY, I tried making a clutch using a plastic box, but wasn't happy with the result. So I invented my very own POP ART inspiration bracelets using materials ANYONE would have at home. 

You will need :

• Any plastic sheets ( You can use files, OHP sheets, CD covers, packing material, anything)
• Magazines
• Jump rings
• Lobster clasps
• Assorted embellishments
• Glitter paper
• Lace
• Scissor
• Glue
• Paint Brush

  Go through the magazines and cut out words that are fun or that inspire you. Make sure it has plenty of colour and pops! I thought the 'Pretty Please' on this page was super cute. Cut as many as you want.

Measure your wrists and cut the plastic accordingly. Cut different heights according to your words.

Make a solution of glue and water. Use a paint brush to stick the cutting on the plastic. Also brush a coat of the solution on top of the cutting to give it a shine and extra hold. Leave to dry overnight.

For the lace cuff, place the lace on the plastic and secure the sides with tape. Apply two coats of the glue solution over the lace. Remove the tape and leave to dry. This is one of my favourite cuffs.

Decorate the cuffs using studs and glitter. Remember, this is supposed to be fun. Use as much colour and funk as possible.

Use a needle or a safety-pin to make holes on either side of your plastic. Attach a jump ring on each side and a clasp on one side. 

The final product should look like this. No need to wear them all together. Just add one to your daily arm party depending on your mood or outfit. You can wear a new one everyday!

Neon Arm Party Tutorial

Summer is here! Living in Mumbai, that isn't very good news.. especially for people with curly hair (me). The humidity levels are so high that sometimes, I end up looking like Monica from that episode when they went to Barbados (Friends reference) . Luckily, we have better ways to deal with it than braiding it with beads. But that's another post.

The reason why I love summer is because of all the colors, the cottons and the flip flops! I know as a fashion person, I'm supposed to be all about the toe-crunching heels (not that I don't love those) but no one says you can't make flip flops chic. Have a look at my new silver Havaianas.

I digress. I am currently obsessed with Arm-stacking or Arm parties. Having a party on your arm means that you stack a lot of different kind of bracelets, watches, bangles, etc on your wrist. The beauty of an arm party is in the chaos but remember that harmony is important too. Just to be safe, start with just using one metal. For example, don't mix silver with gold or bronze. Stick to one. You can still go crazy with the colors.

Image courtesy 2.bp.blogspot.com

Here is an easy-peasy bracelet to add to your arm-party.

Gold bangle : thrifted, Gold & neon bracelet : DIY, Watch : ASOS, Orange bangle : thrifted, Gold cuff : Vero Moda

Here is a step-by-step tutorial. 

You will need :

• Gold chain
• Neon thread/string/wire
• 2 jump rings
• 1 lobster clasp
• Scissors
• Candle/lighter

Measure the chain on your wrist according to where you want your bracelet to lie. Twist the chain to break it. Break another piece of the same size. Notice that the string I used is multi-colored. If you can't find a multi-colored one, use your favorite color or make many bracelets.

Next, tie the chains together with a simple knot. Leave some thread on the outside to attach a jump ring.

Now, thread the chain together by looping it in and out of the links.

Go through the whole chain and tie it on the other end. I'm getting better at the photography bit, right?

Now take another piece of string and tie it on the other side. Remember to use contrasting colors to make it more vivid.

 Repeat the looping technique but on the opposite side to make a cross. Or not. You can leave it the way it is or do this :

Use your imagination!

Tie it at the other end till it looks like a massive neon centipede. Tie the extra string to jump rings on either side. 

Now, use a candle or a lighter to seal the knots. This step is optional. You can use glue as well. Also, if you are using embroidery threads, you SHOULDN'T burn it. Use it only for Nylon or plastic string. Please use parental-guidance if you are under 15 years old or just really clumsy.

For the last step, attach the lobster clasp to the jump ring and you're done!