My version of Fossil Double Glitz bracelet.

I hate missing out on something that is so cute and for a semi-okay price. I was browsing the Fossil website and saw a bracelet for $15 and it was so me. I wanted it so bad. As in right now. Unfortunately it was already sold out. (..Seriously Fossil??)

So I analyze what I'm seeing and realize- I can totally make that! So I go on the hunt and thank goodness for Etsy and some really awesome people on there for carrying exactly what I need. (Oh, and to JoAnn Fabrics for carrying buttons.) :)

So here is the inspiration:

Courtesy of Fossil website.

Supplies needed:

Rhinestone chain of your choosing ( Measure your wrist to determine the length, double if single strand of rhinestone
1mm cord of coordinating color (Approximately 48")
1 button (1/2" with shank on the back)
Super glue
Scissors
Tape

Step 1:
Unless your able to find double rhinestone chain in the color you want, keep reading. Glue the rhinestone ' boxes' together with superglue. Let dry completely. You should still be able to pull and push the boxes apart and together.

(Side note: the reason I recommend super gluing the boxes together is because I noticed that when I tried without, the two strands were not holding together and as the picture shows above.)

Step 2:
Find the halfway point of the cord and tie the button on using a regular overhand knot. Directions here.

Step 3:
Now this step I could not get a picture of, I'm sorry! I'll try to describe it as best I can.

Right below the knot place the rhinestone chain. Take one tail of the cord and start wrapping it around the chain and getting the cord to lay between the boxes. Do about an inch of this and then using your fingers, hold the cord in place. Next, grab the other cord and start wrapping around but opposite. Once you reach an inch where both cords have wrapped around, tape this to a table. Continue wrapping as you started until you reach the end. Tie a double knot .

Step 4:
Wrap the bracelet around your wrist and decide how much space you have left.

I had plenty left considering I was frugal with my chain. Sorry for the weird picture, it's really hard to take a picture of a bracelet that isn't hooked around your wrist! :)

Step 5:
I tied a knot a little further down to create some length and used that point to decide where the final knot is supposed to be located. This final knot is what the button is going to pull up against when around your wrist. Pull tight and trim.

Step 6:
Wear and enjoy!

I'm thoroughly happy with this bracelet. It wasn't hard, it was more time consuming to find the right products.

I bought the cord from Sarah at Fast Running Fox. And the rhinestone chain was from Rhinestone Jewelry. Both of these wonderful stores are at Etsy. One of my favorite haunts now!

Hugs,

A.

DIY Nail Repair- update!

Remember my post way back about how I fix broken nails and it actually worked. Well... major newsflash to me! I bought some plain white tissue paper and followed the steps as I had previously but it didn’t stick. The paper peeled right up and my nails still broke.

With that happening and me being even more determined to not damage my natural nail and still have them look nice, I stumbled upon something that seems to be working. I get to not damage my natural nails if I decide to take them off and yet when they’re on, they are superb. I had coworkers who pay big bucks look at my nails and couldn’t tell a difference. Not until I pointed out my mistakes to them. Even with the mistakes they were pretty impressed. I thought that was pretty cool.

Here are the before pictures- nails are different lengths and you can see splitting occurring. On top of that, my nails are very thin and will bend and splinter or sometimes just break clean off.

These are the supplies I used. I show different types of buffers because everyone prefers something different. I prefer the brown and yellow buffers- the brown is aggressive enough where I don't have waste too much time working the ridges out and the yellow smooths it completely. All of these supplies can be purchased at Sallys Beauty Supply.  

Now the steps: #1. I decided to cut my nails all off, they were splitting anyways. And glue the fake nail on

# 2. Glue the fake nails on. I chose the extended bed type of nails so that there was more to hold on. I didn't rough up the nail bed or anything along those lines. 

#3. Start filing them down the ridges. Be careful, there isn't much of a ridge and you don't want to file a hole in your natural nail bed. You just want the fake nail to blend in smoothly. 

All filed down and ready to be painted. 

Here's another one with flash just to help you see more details. 

#4. Finally, paint as you wish! From the time I took these pictures to today, they've been on a few days and no complaints. yet. I will update if something changes or new comes along. 

Sure hope this inspires you to find different ways to better looking nails without those nail salon prices!

All totalled, the nails, file, nail cutter cost me $11. Not bad as that is the cost of a fill-in around here.

Hugs,

A. 

Dollar Store Score- Nail polish and nail art

I absolutely love the local Dollar Tree. I remember loving them when I was a little girl and that love is reaffirmed every time I go back. They've definitely gotten better over the years and they actually carry really good brands too.

Take a look at what $3.00 bought me...

Sally Hansen Jumpin' Jade

They even had these sample sized bottles of nail art. Considering how much nail art costs and how much I actually do nail art- these will last a very long time!

That green is going to inspire me one day...in the meantime I'll put it with my others and wait for that inspiration to spark.

Hugs,

A.