Thunder stuff - how to DIY geometric Balenciaga earrings

Balenciaga Multi Thunder Earrings (see more yellow gold earrings)

My latest creative outing was inspired by Balenciaga's geometric Thunder earrings. This latest venture of festive sparkle-inspired imitation came partly as an ode to the statement earring as an invaluable companion to the classic LBD for carrying off a streak of individuality with seamless elegance. However, it was the idea of making wire jewellery that didn't look like a paint-by-numbers (as it were) craft project that swung my decision to take on this quick, simple project.

You will need...

Soldering iron and solder

Gold stud earrings

Gold wire, about 2mm thick

Jewellery making pliers

Difficulty

Very easy

If you're reasonably dexterous with wire and long-nosed pliers, this should be a quick, straightforward and enjoyable outing.

Time

I wasn't really watching the clock this time around - you might almost say I got too caught up in the moment - but it was definitely under an hour.

Styling thunder

Bend the wire into a geometric design. I found that the best way to get the tight oblong corners of the original was to twist the wire as far as you can in a semicircle around the tip of the pliers.

Make a loop at the top of the earring and solder it to the stud.
N.B. I used studs with quite wide bases and would recommend them for best results.

Repeat the process to make the other earring.

Luxe and Tux - a brief refashion

For those of you who are wondering if I'm still alive or have been abducted by aliens just as the respective mid-winter festivities are starting, the good news is that tonight I have finally found the motivation to write up my latest project with a mini-tutorial in picture form. My refashion of an evening jacket was inspired by the YSL tuxedo jacket Cara Delevingne wore to the Paper Towns premier.

The Best of Cara Delevingne's 'Paper Towns' Style (clipped to polyvore.com)

Having a glam jacket to add at least a token gesture of warmth over skimpy party dresses is no bad investment for the chilly winter months. What's more, a boxy suit jacket is the perfect match of devil-may-care glamour and aloof androgynous mystique, a twist on traditional elegance that gives festive glitz and sparkles a razor-sharp edge.

You will need...

A suit or evening jacket

Leather, faux leather or satin trim, about 10cm wide

Sewing machine with a leather needle (which you can pick up at all good haberdashers) unless you're working with satin

Scissors

Time

5-6 hours.

Difficulty

Quite easy

In principle, it's a straightforward project but you need to be reasonably confident at sewing with leather.

Luxe it up

Since I was just covering the collar, I let the picture speak for itself with a few pointers and directions.

This is how mine turned out:

How to DIY a pair of Dries van Noten brocade platforms

You will need...

Platform sandals

Purple brocade fabric

Red sequins (ideally sequin string)

Needle and thread

Fabric scissors

Stick 'N' Stay craft mount

Staple gun

Iron and ironing board

Difficulty

Quite easy

Parts of this project are a bit on the fiddly side but it's straightforward in principle.

Time

About 2 hours.



To cover the toe straps of your sandals, cut two pieces of fabric with the following dimensions.

Fold each piece along the middle and fold back the seam allowance by 1cm along the sides. Press them with an iron.

Stick them along the toe straps with craft mount and slip stitch the seams together at the back.

Attach the toe straps to the platforms with a few staples at the sides.

Sew or glue on your flower design.

Spray some craft mount onto the sides of the platforms and the straps and cover them completely with fabric.

The Trends on Thursday - Pompom go

I rather fancy I have two genuinely legitimate reasons to be rocking these DIY dangling pompom earrings:

1. Christmas is  just around the corner (in real terms - yes, I said it!) and the various inexplicable novelty rituals that  we observe year-in-year-out in its honour aren't just socially acceptable but a contractual obligation.


2. Pompoms have edged their way back into fashion as a subtle yet stylish way to add the idiosyncratic character associated with quirky craft trims, while staying inside the line of good taste.

So, really, it's only fair that I should share a quick tutorial with you for getting this simple yet bold look.

Quaint as folk - a quick DIY tutorial for making fringed shoes

Put some swish in your step with a touch of fringing.

You will need...

Tip: use a scalpel with a fresh blade, as it's likely to be at its sharpest.

Not pictured

T-strap sandals

Difficulty

Very easy

In the interests of safety, it helps to be dexterous with a scalpel and glue gun. However, this is basically an easy, straightforward, what-you-see-is-what-you-get project.

Time

About an hour.

Get your fringe on

Decide on a design and cut out the shapes you want to use, making sure they're symmetrical and consistent on both shoes.

Cut the shapes into fringing with slits about 2mm apart (eyeball it!).

Glue the pieces on top of one another, then stick them underneath the t-straps.

It really is that simple!

Wedge of glory - How to DIY a Jimmy Choo Notion Tricolor Wedge Sandal

Unfortunately, owing to technical difficulties and lack of hours at my disposal I've been unable to upload the video tutorial for the DIY that these beauties inspired:

Jimmy Choo Notion Tricolor Wedge Sandal (see more brown sandals)

Tune in soon to find out what a pair of platform sandals and some faux wood adhesive paper have in common (clue: the following picture).

Brooch the subject - How to DIY a Prada floral crystal brooch

Blooming brilliance to brighten up any outfit.

brooch the subject by chiccheat on Polyvore

You will need...

N.B. You want the PVC to be as thick as possible.

Difficulty

Easy

While it helps to be dexterous with a scalpel on PVC, this is one of my quicker, more straightforward tutorials. Whoever said you can't get the look of vibrant opulence without keeping it simple?

Time

About 2 hours.

Badge it up

Use this template (simply copy, paste and print it)...

...to trace a flower shape into both pieces of PVC and cut them out with a scalpel.

Punch holes where you want the ends of your brooch clasp to go on the top layer. Decide where you want the bottom layer to go, place it underneath so that it overlaps but is not completely covered by the top layer, mark where the holes should go to match the top layer, remove the bottom layer and punch the holes.

Paint over the two flowers with clear nail polish or resin to harden and thicken the material.

Stick the two layers together with craft mount, making sure the holes are aligned. Undo the clasp on the brooch and put the two ends through each hole - you might need to widen the holes with the scalpel and coax the two ends through. Fasten the brooch.