Jessica Witty
If you’ve met me, you’ve probably seen them. They’re hard to miss. I mean…I’m kind of a small person, but they just keep getting bigger and more colorful.
I can’t help it.
These days I just love ‘em.
Accessories, people…accessories!
Hair clips (usually flowers), necklaces (the bigger, the better), bracelets (why have just one when five is better?)…it goes on and on. Personally, I notice that I like to keep my accessories similar to how I design my cards…only one big statement at a time.
For example…my latest love…
I love it. Love it. It goes with everything and always makes me feel great.
Now, let me be clear; I wasn’t always like this.
I would not have considered myself super girly by any stretch.
I had two kids…both boys, and that seemed to contribute to me staying on the non-girls side of things.
Boys don’t require accessories other than a stylin’ necktie or cap on occasion.
And I liked it that way.
And then I had a daughter.
I’m blamin’ it on her.
She came as quite a shock after five years of mothering those two very boyish boys.
And then there was the fact that this kid came with a head full of hair right from the get go. Another shock after mothering two very boyish, very bald boy babies.
And so it came to be that I began noticing a few changes.
I started to see the reasoning in having accessories to perfectly contrast all of her outfits. {And mine; but that’s a different story.}
I had to wise up pretty quickly…those tiny little pieces of cuteness aren’t cheap, my friends.
But I am a paper crafter.
I have skills.
I have creativity.
And what else do I have?
That’s right.
Embellishments.
Ah…the perfect little accessories, right at my fingertips.
For example…the flower.
These little sweeties were made with Basic Grey’s Fabric Bloomers and they could not have been easier. Just cover a little clippie with some strong adhesive and stick ‘em on. Done.
How about in felt?
This is the same idea, just using a different type of clip and a flower from Little Yellow Bicycle.
What about in chipboard?
This cutie chipboard is from Melody Ross’ Artsy Urban line from GCD Studios. I just pulled the flower off of the backing and glued the slide clip directly to the back.
I’ve even found that brads are super simple to work into hair clips.
Just put a little adhesive on the clip, then stick the prongs of the brad through the hole in the center of the clip and fold the prongs flat against it. I covered the back with a little circle of felt as well. (The flower brad is from K&Company…I am loving the vintage look on that one!)
Or, in this case, I was able to just pull the prongs off the back and adhere the top of the brad right to the clip using some foam tape.
Now that I’ve honed on cutie pie clip-making skills, I’ve moved on to headbands.
I was able to use a length of wide ribbon that I have been saving for, oh, years on this one. I just took some colored elastic and stitched the ends together. Then I pinned the ribbon in ruffles stitched one line down the center to hold it in place…super easy.
I’ve noticed that my new obsession has caused me to see products a bit differently. When perusing the Prima booth at CHA, I was so overwhelmed by all the accessory possibilities that I could barely stand it!
And then there was Webster’s Pages…I am totally imagining Noelle all decked out in a sweet headband using these:
How about you?
Have you ever crafted some handmade accessories for yourself or your little one?
Tell me all about them!
I’m on the search for new accessory ideas, so I’d love to hear yours!
Later, friends!
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
Jessica Witty
You bet. Went and bought me some alligator clips and pretty ribbon. I then made a combo of pretty bows, and also made a flower out of ribbon loops that was topped off with a pretty button in the middle.
While I haven’t made anything like this, I just have to tell you that what you’ve made is adorable! The ribbon on the elastic . . . how cute is that!?!
I used Making Memories little frames, inserted some metal and decorated with stickers and created some necklaces.
those crocheted flowers…… sew them onto a hair elastic. Tada… fancy ponytail.
I have not, but it is a super cute idea!
lisa a.
I’m with you, I’m not much of a girlie girl, but I LOVE jewelry…the bigger the better!
Stampin’ Up has a line they’re calling simply adorned. I’ve used it to make a fabulous necklace, and am now working on a bracelet for my sister.
I’ve made one bow for my little girl. It was out of American Craft ribbon and it had all these little fruits on it. I thought it was cute…who know what someone else would say??
Use white knee high stockings to make headbands for baby girls. Stitch the toe and top together, sew or glue ribbon flowers on them. Soft and stretchy and so easy to make.
I have bunches of Prima flowers, that I really need to do something with (the really pretty fabric ones). So I plan on using them on headbands for my daughter (who is 14). Flowers are a really big trend right now with the teens. I see girls wear them, and sometimes they are not cute, and I always say to myself, “Latisha, you could make an awesome headband for Kendall using some Primas.” So over Spring break, I plan on making a few
Fun stuff!
I have made flowers with wire, crystals and seed beeds, then I wrap them around a hair clip. My niece loves sparkly things.
Love this idea!! I’ve taken Prima flowers and used them on hair ties..just like Summer Braxton (above commentor). I have a very “girlie” GD so will probably be making more little goodies for her.
I have painted bobby pins with nail polish in all different colors for a subtle but perfect little touch and finish to my do! SUPER easy and can be done in a whim when looking for that last piece…
Did this for my niece a couple of times in pinks – she LOVED that she could wear “big girl” hair clips like her Aunt Sara. (and my sister in law didn’t have to worry abt her losing them, cause they are so darn easy and cheap!)
Jessica, I’m having visions of you using your iTop to creat your own brads that you can use on your clippies! Have fun….come to think of it, I think they are coming out with buttons and magnet tops that you could use…
Totally! I have a bow & accessory business inspired by a friend’s little girl and now my own daughter. My website is in progress, but it’s http://www.colliercreations.com I bought an iTopp just for making my own “brads” for the center of bows and have begun dabbling in bottle cap necklaces.
I do see lots of possibilities for using scrappy supplies as accessories; however, I’m not big into accessories for myself.
I’ve been repurposing my clothing–deconstructing it some and adding stamped and painted images. I’ve also been making jewelry from vintage buttons. I do love the flowers from Webster’s Pages and PRIMA and started collecting flowers of various kinds to add to a white linen jacket for summer. Anne, yourmainestamper
Wow I need to go and check out that Prima ribbons. It looks gorgeous!!!
I used a sizzix die to cut flowers from brightly colored knit t-shirts, stitched 4 large and 2 small and finished off the center with a cute button.
So cute! I too make my headbands and even dressed up a very plain t-shirt and I have so many compliments on it. I find alot of ideas from Elizabeth Kartchner’s blog.
Jess—You know I LOVE your necklace! Remember you were wearing it at CHA when we met? Yep, it’s stunning.
I have thought of making some hair clips for my nieces and even bought a huge amount of clips etc from Etsy. Unfortunately they are still in the bubble envie they arrived in. My nieces have wispy baby hair so not sure they would stay in so I figure I have a bit of time…heehee. However, there’s nothing saying I can’t try them for ME!!
Adorable! can you do a tutorial on how to make the flowers you are wearing?
WOW!!! I make hair do-da’s for my granddaughter but these are so Cute!!! I’m going to get a package of these clips and try to make a few. Thanks for the inspiration.
Awesome post! I have three girls and you’d think I’d be all about the accessories, but I can’t bring myself to do the flowers that are bigger than their heads yet. However, before my 3rd was born last April I did raid my fabric flower stash and paired biggish with smaller ones then topped them off with buttons or large rhinestones. My older two girls have actually used them more as my ‘baby’ hates having things on her head.
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LOVE these!! i swear i could have written your post – except i had my two ALL BOY boys for 14 & 16 years when there baby sis arrived on the scene and OH MY!!!! however she is not overly girly either so i have only done few things so far. i did make her some incredibly cute great big hair ribbon bows. i have also jazzed up a white shirt with stamps and scribbles glitter paint for a pair of pants she loved but we couldn’t find the matching shirt in her size. i also want to take a few tshirts, sew some cute quilting fabric onto the bottom and use matching fabric to cut embellie appliques with my sizzix and cricut…..oh if only i could go without sleep……hee heee!
Oh WOW! I hadn’t seen this post before! I’m so tickled that you love this … and that headband for Noelle has somehow “not” been viewed by her Mimi until now! LOL I love it!
I know this post was a little bit ago, but I wanted to tell you I make flower clippies with fabric and my Big Shot. I have a really small Etsy store called craftydork.etsy.com. I also blog at scrapperspot.blogspot.com. They are super fun to make and only take about 1/4 yard of fabric, depending on the size. I have more than what is on my Etsy store, but that will show you the general idea. On my blog, there are some photos of my daughter wearing one pinned to her shirt. Hope you like them
!
Oh, and P.S. Love the ribbon headband and I so am going to have to use your idea for the clippies on cards! Perfect for birthday parties! Thanks