DIY: Jeweled phone case

After smashing my phone screen front AND back (due to my unfortunate clumsy behaviour), I knew it was time to finally get some protection on my phone and get a case! I adore the phone cases by Skinny Dip, if you haven't seen them, they are decked out in jewels and sparkles and look ever so glam. Feeling inspired and being the creative soul that I am, I wanted to have an attempt at creating my own glitzy case. Here's how it turned out..

(photo from my Instagram)



I was given the plane iPhone case and jewels as a Christmas gift. I quizzed my Mum as to where she bough it; the case was from a shop on eBay [insert web address] and was only a couple of quid + free delivery. The jewels were from stationary shop, Ryman; though loads of different crafty stores will sell something similar I think! It took me a while to search for glue as I needed something that was strong enough to hold, but didn't set straight away, or else I would end up gluing my fingers together! Anyway, I found the perfect one, Unibond; repair extreme.



I made a plan first by laying the jewels over the case and taking a picture. I then started by sticking the larger jewels on first and worked inwards to outwards. I found it easiest to use tweezers to pick up the jewels and to place & adjust them on to the case. It was quite a time consuming job (it took me about an hour and a half) and you do need a lot of patience. I'm pretty impressed with the case now that it's done; I'm currently awaiting my Blue Peter badge ;) !





I've got plenty of jewels left over, so may have ago at doing another one on a black phone case. Let me know what you think.

Danielle x

Glitter wonderland- DIY: glitter ombré nails

With the festive season upon us there's no better time to get glittery! Sparkle and jewels have been seen all over the catwalk from Dolce & Gabbana, NO21 to Chanel - it's a big party trend! And when it comes to nails, Essie and Dior's glittery nail polishes have received a lot of attention from the fashion and beauty world.my recent issue of vogue featured ombré glitter nails:





But why pay premium prices for glitter nail polish when you can do it yourself?
Back in September I wrote a post on 'DIY nails', demonstrating how I do my signature glitter nails. I have since been experimenting further and wanted to do a post on how I get an ombré glitter effect. It's a little bit tricker then covering the whole nail in glitter... But still pretty easy to do!!

You will need some clear nail varnish and two pots of craft shop glitter in the same colour (one finer then the other). I've pictured the pots I have used below so you can get an idea of the difference in the glitter size (if that makes sence?!)



To begin, I mix both glitters together in an old pot (I use an old jewellery box), make sure the glitter is well mixed and in a small, but kind of deep pile. I then put a small pile of just the finer glitter on the other side of the box.

(pile of mixed glitter)

(pile of fine glitter)

I then paint my first nail with clear nail varnish. Straight after, I slide the tip of my nail in to the mixed pile of glitter. Using the pad of my first finger, I pat down the glitter so it's flatter on my nail. Using the pad of my finger again, I press it in to the pile of finer glitter (so it sticks to my finger) and then very carefully press it down on to my nail, to give a gradual, ombré effect with the glitter. I usually bring the glitter half way down the nail. I then repeat this on all my nails, doing one at a time.
I've taken a picture with the flash on of my nail.. The colour of my hand looks quite weird!!  - but the glitter stands out more, so you can get an idea how to press it onto the nail.





Once the nail varnish is completely dry, I then seal the glitter in by painting two top coats of clear polish over...









You don't have to use clear nail varnish as the base coat either; baby blue would look really nice against silver glitter or gold glitter on top of black nail polish would look lovely and festive too. You could even mix two colours of glitter together. If you try this out let me know what colours you use! Hope you have found this demonstration useful and will give it a go!!!

Danielle x