Mermaid Hairband

After making some unicorn hairbands the next logical step seemed to be a mermaid hairband! Of course!

Here's how I made it.

The first step had me so stumped that I almost gave up. I needed to build a structure on the hairband that I could stick all the shells on. I tried one piece of felt that folded around the hairband but it kept leaning with the curve of the band. I even tried putting a piece of card in between but I still couldn't get it to stick up straight.
Then I got the idea to build up the structure with multiple pieces of felt. I cut circles of white felt which folded around the hairband. I glued and sewed them in place then added some pairs of semi-circles which made a scalloped pattern. Very appropriate for a mermaid theme.

With the structure in place it was time to add the decoration.
I started with a string of small shells across the bottom which I was able to sew to the felt.

Then I picked out some larger shells which I attached using my glue gun.

Then I filled in the gaps with more little shells, pearl beads and blue plastic beads. I don't think I've ever used my glue gun so much!

I added some more colour by painting the shells with blue and purple nail varnish to get a shimmery look.

The hairband is a little heavy but I'm really pleased the felt is able to hold all shells and remain sticking up.

Shell Hair-slides

I got the idea for these shell hair slides from Quiet Lion Creations.

Make sure to check out the original tutorial, especially since she went for really cool designs on her shells.

I went for a more natural look.

To make the shells into hair slides you fill them with Fimo/Sculpey. It's a chance to use up any odd bits you have because the clay won't be seen so it doesn't matter what colour it ends up as.

Then you press the hair slide into the Fimo, remove the slide, bake the clay still in the shell, then glue the slide back into the clay.

I painted my shells with nail varnish. One pair is silvery/pinky/redish.

And the other pair gradients from white to light blue. 

I think the shells look really cute slotted into a messy up-do.

Shell necklace

I've had a pack of plain white shells for ages and never done anything with them. Until now.

I made this necklace by drilling a small hole in the top of each shell, which is not easy I can tell you.

Then I painted them with nail varnish so that they'd be shiny.

I think if I make another one I'll pick less random colours. Like all blues and purples. Or pinks. There's always a lot of pink nail varnish.

Birthday goodies

When my friends asked me what I wanted for my birthday I just answered "crafty things" and they definitely delivered!

I got a packet of felt, feathers, pipe cleaners, shells, mirror bits, sequins, lots of beads and 2 tub o' buttons.

So then I got to thinking about what I could make with it all.

How about this button covered wine glass from Creative Jewish Mom.

Or I could use the shells to decorate pots like Martha Stewart.

And I could use the pipe cleaners to make fun finger puppets like Sparkplugging.

The possibilities are endless.