Hi everyone! I’m Carly from Chic Steals, and I’ve been a huge fan of M&J Trimming for such a long time.  I make it a point to always stop in the store and meander through whenever I’m in New York City.  It’s like a glittering treasure trove for me, stocked full of beads, baubles, trims, rhinestones, and appliqués – so much so that I’m never able to leave with empty hands.  It’s amazing how easily you can update a piece of clothing or an accessory with said beads, baubles, and appliqués…and how incredibly high-fashion projects can look when you’ve added a bit of frivolous sparkle to them.

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Project 1:

Sequin Nails

I love a metallic manicure as much as the next girl, but most polishes aren’t bright enough to truly gleam like the real thing.  Though a little tedious, a sequin manicure gets those fingertips a-sparkle: a true conversation piece!

*6mm Flat Loose Sequins Style# 34424 in Turquoise
 *scissors
*toothpick
*thick clear base coat nail polish (the stickier the better!)
*thick clear sealing topcoat nail polish

How To:

1. Cut a bunch of sequins in half, and some into quarters.

2. Work on each nail one-by-one.  Spread a thick coating of base coat onto a nail.  While it is still wet, use the flat end of the toothpick to pick up a half-sequin, and place at the tip of your nail in the center.  (It’s easier to pick up the sequin if you lick the end of the toothpick.)

3. Fill in the sides of each nail with the quarter-sequins.
4. Continue to fill in the nail with more half- and quarter-sequins, layering each one overlapping the previous one a little, covering the center of your nail going back to the cuticle.
5. Cover with at least one coating of topcoat; thick enough so that the edges of the sequins don’t lift up or feel too scratchy.
Flash those holographic talons!  My manicure lasted about 5 days before the edges of the sequins lifted up too much, so something like this would be perfect for a party or a special occasion.

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Project 2:

Ribbon-Wrapped Bangle

It’s so simple to update an old bangle with wrappings of brightly-colored ribbon and thread!  You can even use scraps of fabric to keep things fun and festive.

*38mm Silky Grosgrain Ribbon in Sapphire and Grey Style# 42053 (1-800-9MJTRIM) 

*Thread Style# 42681 in Flint and Mink Blue 

*M&J Trimming ribbon

*contrasting color of fabric paint

*bangle

*glue for fabric, metal, and plastic

*scissors

How To:

1. Use fabric paint to paint designs on your ribbon; I chose lines and dots.  Allow to dry.

2. Place a small amount of glue on the end of a ribbon, and glue it to the inside of the bangle.  Wrap the ribbon around the bangle a couple times, then cut and glue the free end to the bangle inside.

3. Add the other color of ribbon, and the painted ribbon as well, overlapping the ribbons on the bangle as you go.

4. For visual interest, add an area of thread wrapped around the bangle as well.

5. After all ends are glued down and the bangle is covered completely, add a contrasting ribbon tied around the bangle for a little sass.

Wear stacked with other bangles or on its own as a cute accessory to brighten your day.

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Project 3:

Bead-Edged Cut-Out Top

Give them all the cold shoulder with this skin-baring top.  Take it to the next level with a border of bright metallic beads around saucy cut-outs.

*8mm 60″  8MM 60″  Faux Pearl PKG Style# 49380 in Silver (1-800-9-MJTRIM)

*long-sleeved knit top

*Thread Style# 42681 in Flint

*marking chalk

*scissors

*fabric glue

*clear bead cord (I’m using Magic Stretch)

How To:
1. Try on the top and mark where you want to cut out the shoulder (remember to mark an oval a little smaller than you want for your finished piece).

2. Cut out where you marked with scissors.  Try the top on again to make sure it’s the shape you want, and make adjustments if necessary.

3. Turn the top inside-out and carefully notch around the cut edge so the fabric won’t pull too much when you turn it inwards.  Spread a small amount of fabric glue around the edge of your cut-out.  Fold the fabric inwards to create a finished edge.

4. Make a double knot in your beading cord and thread your beads onto it, until you have enough to go all the way around the cut-out.  Knot the end loosely so you can add more beads later on if you find you haven’t strung on enough. 

5. Use a doubled length of matching thread to stitch your string of beads around the cut out.  Stitching over the cord in-between each bead I found is
enough to secure the string onto the top.

6. If you get to the end of the string and find you still haven’t gotten all the way around the cut-out, un-knot the cord and add more beads on. Finish the cord with a double-knot and trim the cord close.

Wear with something a bit more covered-up on the bottom to play off the sultriness of the cut-outs on top.

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Project 4:

Bead-and-Ribbon Fishnet Necklace

*8mm 60″  8MM 60″  Faux Pearl PKG Style# 49380 in Silver (1-800-9-MJTRIM)

*Thread Style# 42681 in Flint

*38mm Silky Grosgrain Ribbon in Sapphire Style# 42053 (1-800-9MJTRIM)

*metallic beads

* 6mm Flat Loose Sequins Style# 34424 in Turquoise

*6mm Mesh Tube Ribbon Style# 36876 in Grey  (1-800-9-MJTRIM)

*large crystal pendant

*assorted jumprings, rings, and chains

*necklace closure

*eyepins

*pliers (I used round-nose, flat-nose, and wire-cutting)

*optional: lighter or open flame

How To:

1. Tie the end of the ribbon to a ring.

2. Make the closure of the necklace and add a jumpring with chain attached to it to one side.  Add a jumpring to the other side and attach it to the ring from the previous step.

3. Make the pearl bead string by dropping beads into the mesh cord, and knotting the cord on either side of each bead.

4. Attach the pearl bead string to the ring with the ribbon by simply double-knotting the metallic mesh cord around the ring, and trimming the excess.

5. Make the metallic bead string by threading a sequin onto an eyepin, then a bead, then another sequin, and finishing the eyepin in another loop, trimming the excess.  Attach each beaded segment to each other to create the bead string.

6. Try on the necklace and decide how long you want it.  Cut the attached chain accordingly, and attach the beaded string to the end of the chain with a jumpring.

7. Attach another large ring to the end of the beaded string – this will lie in the center, and hold the pendant.

8. Tie the free end of the ribbon to the ring, and trim the excess.  If the ends of the ribbon are fraying too much, you can heat-seal them with an open flame.

9.  Attach a smaller chain to the end of the pearl bead string, trim the excess, and attach it to the center ring as well.

10. Slip the pendant inside the mesh cord.  Twist the ends tightly around the pendant, roll to the back, and trim.

11.  Attach the pendant to the center ring with jumprings.

Wear a regal piece like this with simple, understated clothing so it stands out all on its own.

Tip: Choose black or orange beads for a spooky Halloween-style spiderwebby piece!

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Project 5:

Sparkly Beaded Hairclip

*4″ x 2 1/4″ Rhinestone Applique Style# 47335 in Black ( 1-800-9MJTRIM)

*stiff black felt

*hair barrette

*scissors

*hot glue & glue gun

*hand-sewing needle and matching thread

How To:

1. Remove the center spring from the barrette and spread hot glue on the top.  Press on to the felt and allow to dry.

2. Use the needle and thread to stitch around the barrette to secure it to the felt further.

3. Hot-glue the appliqué to the other side of the felt, directly on top of the barrette.

4. Once dry, trim around the felt with scissors.  You can even take a small pair of scissors and cut out all the intricate spaces in the appliqué for more visual interest.

This piece looks lovely securing a ponytail, or glittering out from the back of a braided chignon.  The ways to use a beaded appliqué are numerous: you can add it onto a ribbon belt, a boring cloche, an old clutch, use as a shoe-clip, attach to a ribbon and wear as a wristlet, or even attach a chain to either side and sport it as a pretty pendant necklace.  Wear it with flair!