Happy Friday everyone! I wanted to share this fun DIY for jeweled flip-flops project with you all. I realize it’s more wintery now– but really– who can’t use another pair of flip-flops to wear around the house? It’s not snowing yet, right? At least not here in southern California anyway.
Have fun and Happy Friday! Anyone who makes these– send me pics!
Instructions:
1
Lightly sand the straps of the flip-flops with sandpaper or use steel wool to roughen them up and make it easier for the glue to adhere. Wipe the straps clean with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.
2
Place dots of glue onto the flip-flop strap in the pattern you want the rhinestones to be placed. Do just a few dots of glue at a time. Make the dots of glue just large enough so that when you press the rhinestone into them, the glue will also come around the edges of the rhinestone. This requires some practice.
3
Pick up a rhinestone by lightly touching it with the tip of the applicator, then press the rhinestone into the dot of glue. Repeat with the next rhinestone crystal and continue until the straps are covered.
4
Let glue fully dry, usually 24 to 72 hours. For optimal adhesion, add an extra day or two.
FYI…
Rubber flip-flops work best, and you may not have to roughen the straps with sandpaper. Vinyl or polyurethane flip-flops will require sanding.
Do not use cheap flip-flops. They sometimes have an “oiliness” to the plastic that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to glue your jewels on to.
Placing wadded up newspaper or a rag under the straps may make them easier to work on and help to catch stray glue drips.
Work in a well-ventilated area because the fumes from many glues, especially industrial strength glues, can be harmful to your health.
IT'S STATEMENT EARRING TIME!!!! No seriously... it's time! The holiday's are around the corner and it's time to start updating our jewelry collections with a few gorgeous sparklers for the season. Using the same technique as my DIY button ring tutorial, here's an easy breezy project to help you bring a little bling to those earrings!
Materials: 4 Buttons, 4 Earring Findings With Post and Hoop, Jump Rings, Earring Backings
Hello everyone! I found this fabulous DIY project for "two button statement earrings." Looks to be a fun and creative project and definitely appeals to my thrifty side. I can see myself wearing these to a holiday party for sure. I'm going to a few thrift shops this weekend so will keep you posted if I find some sparkly materials to make my earrings. Cheers and Happy Tuesday!
Hello Everyone! Earlier this week I had the pleasure of going on a “pawn shop” trip in San Diego’s North Park area. It just so happens I had a birthday earlier this week too– so I was in search of an opal ring– my birth stone.
How do pawn shops work? A pawn shop gives customers a place to sell their personal items for cash. The pawn broker looks the item over and determines how much money he can obtain for it. He then makes a lower offer to the customer. The pawn broker makes money when he sells the item at a higher price. (I have a feeling the pawn broker made some money off me…)
Pictured above is the opal ring I found at CashCo Jewelry & Loan for $90. Lucky for me the jewelry was 30% off the day I was there. This was my first serious trip to a pawn shop. I was surprised at the fantastic quality goods I found. Since I’m still in search of diamond earrings– looks like I’ll be cruising by the pawn shops when I’m ready to buy those.
Which brings me to my next question– pawn shops as economic barometers? Why is the pawn industry generating so much buzz as a “barometer of the economy”? Reports show the three publicly traded pawn companies reported significantly increased earnings during the last two fiscal quarters. An increase in gold value and the “Cash for Gold” craze have both shown record numbers of people trading in old jewelry and coins for cash. Perhaps the perception could be based on speculation that in hard times, people pawn. However, there is a larger, more compelling story about the pawn industry.
The National Pawnbrokers Association reports there are over 30 million pawn store customers per year and they appreciate this unique form of credit and tend to borrow only what they need, as evidenced by the relatively low national average loan amount of $80. NPA President and pawn shop owner Dave Crume says, “Pawn customers repay their loans and redeem their collateral at a correspondingly high average national redemption rate of 80 percent. These parameters appear to be holding constant, despite the current economy.”
I’m not sure what to make of all this, but I’m really glad I stopped by CashCo last Monday and found my lovely opal ring. I’m pretty sure it was “pre-owned” and that is fine. (Now if I could just find some “pre-owned” diamond earrings….)
Halloween is almost here! So it's perfect time to get started on those creepy, scary nails!
Hello Everyone! I've had a busy and fun weekend-- celebrating my birthday, carving pumpkins and eating way too much food. Just wanted to share these cool ideas for Halloween nails. I like the spider web best. Cheers!
Hello Everyone! Happy Friday– and what a beautiful day it is here in sunny San Diego. We haven’t celebrated Flip Flop Friday for a while so I figured it was time to get back on track with that–haha. And what better way than to talk about how to keep your flip-flops clean.
Flip flops are my favorite “shoes” of summer. They are great for wearing to the pool, the beach and just hanging out. Now that the Fall season is upon us, have you noticed your favorite pair is getting a little dingy? Here is how to bring them back to life and better than ever!
Instructions… here are a few options to get your flip-flops looking pretty again…
Start with plain soap and water and an old toothbrush. Remove most of the grime with a little scrubbing.
Put them in the dishwasher. Do not wash them with dishes– use a gentle cleaner when running your rubber sandals through the wash. Add vinegar and baking soda to the wash to do double duty–cleaning your shoes and your dishwasher at the same time. (thrifty, right?)
Let your tub fill with water while you take a shower. Soak flip-flops to loosen dirt, and scrub with a nail brush afterward.
Use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser as an easy way to remove grime from your flip-flops and bathtub.
Try an oxygen cleaner and water to get stains off your sandals. You may need to add the power of a scrub brush for maximum results.
Use steel wool pads with soap to get down and dirty with the grit in your flip-flops. This method works best after soaking the sandals in a sink of water for about an hour.
