5 DIY Prom Accessories

 Hello all you beautiful girls and guys!  I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend filled with fun and lots of time spent with your families.  I've been a busy bee, preparing for a 'special occasion' and thought of proms, so this week I'm dedicating myself to bringing you all the latest prom styles - everything ranging from hairstyles, accessories, dresses and more. 

I'd like to apologise for the length of this post - but I have a lot to share with you! ^_^

When I was in high school, I went to seven proms. No lie. For most of them, I don't even know why I went. I was definitely more into hanging out at the diner than getting glammed up. So every time I received an invitation, I promised myself that I wouldn't look like anyone else. No £100 dress, acrylic nails, or strappy sky-high heels. I didn't want to fade into the crowd -- and for the most part, I stood by my promise.

But when it came to accessories, I was completely lost. Inevitably, my mom would run out to the store the afternoon of the big event, and buy a couple of cheap necklaces that kinda matched my dress. It was a nice gesture, but it didn't really stick with my "originality" theme. Finally, around prom number four, I realised I could make my own accessories, solving my non-conformist issue. It also helped that I liked crafting.

For the next couple of proms, I usually made simple necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, or took an old thrifted jewelry piece and altered it. And, it was no surprise that this crafty obsession continued well past prom and even high school. What can I say? I loved (and still love) DIY.

As prom season approaches, I'm a little sad. Not because I'm too old to go, but because I've found even more amazing handmade prom accessory tutorials and don't really have any use for them. But at least I can pass them along to you. These projects are cheap, simple, and don't take a lot of time. What more could a girl ask for?

Beaded Fabric Necklace

This necklace seems to involve a lot of steps, but it's actually an easy project that won't cost you much money. To move even faster, use a sewing machine for some of the required stitching.

Supplies:
• 8 medium-sized wood beads
• piece of string
• piece of shiny fabric
• needle and thread
• sewing machine (optional)

Beaded Fabric Necklace Instructions

Get the Look:
1. First, thread eight medium-sized wood beads onto a long piece of string. The string should be heavier than thread and at least 5-inches long on each end of the row of beads.
2. Once strung, do not tie the ends together. Instead place a large piece of tape on each end of the string to keep the beads from sliding off the string. The beads should be loose and able to move up and down on the string.
3. Take your piece of fabric. Cut the fabric into a long and skinny piece. It should be as long as the string of beads, and wide enough to cover the beads all the way around.
4. Lay the fabric face-up. Fold it in half long-ways (i.e. it should get even skinnier) so the back of the fabric is face-up. Stitch together the two edges of the fabric to create a long skinny tube. (A sewing machine will speed up this process.)
5. After the two edges have been stitched together, turn the tube inside out so the pretty fabric is now on the outside.

Beaded Fabric Necklace Instructions Continued ...

6. Work the string of beads through the tube, while still keeping the tape on the edges of the string.
7. Once the beads are in the tube, take the first bead and pinch the fabric right above it. Wrap it with a piece of thread and tie it off.
8. Move to the next bead, pinch the fabric above it and wrap it with a piece of thread. If the tube is too big and there's extra fabric, try twisting the fabric, then pinching. Continue with the rest of the beads, making sure to tie off the last one at the top and bottom of the bead.
9. Once the beads have been secured, place the necklace around your neck, and tie the ends of the fabric into a bow. If there's any extra string sticking out, cut it off.

How to Wear This Look

Depending on the fabric you choose, your necklace can act as a statement piece or just a supporting player in your prom look. Since it's a large piece that shows off your neckline and shoulders, a strapless dress looks great with this type of jewelry.

Hair Comb

Even if your hair is elaborately styled in a braid or twist, you can still add a decorative comb to highlight your beautiful updo.

Supplies:
• plain hair comb
• metallic thread
• strong glue, like E-6000
• pearl beads

Hair Comb Instructions

Get the Look:
1. Tie the metallic thread into a knot around one end of the comb's base. Do not cut the thread from the spool. Keep the thread connected to the spool the whole time.
2. Loop the thread around the base, between the first two fingers of the comb. Once you have a solid amount of thread on the comb, begin looping the thread in an X-like pattern, pulling the thread through one of the fingers and crisscrossing it across the band, and pulling it back through the next finger of the comb. Do this repeatedly, until you cannot see the original color base of the comb.

Hair Comb Instructions Continued ...

3. When you cannot see the original base of the comb, move onto the next finger of the comb. Continue the X-pattern on every two fingers of the comb until you have reached the other end of the comb. When you get to the end, cut the thread and tie it multiple times around the base.
4. To cover any spots of the original comb, especially at the ends, and to make the comb more interesting, add a few pearl beads to the comb. Use strong glue, like E-6000, to attach the beads to the comb. Wait 20 minutes for the glue to dry before putting it in your hair.

How to Wear This Look

When it comes to prom accessories, many girls forget about their hair. Even if you have a stylist do your hair, you can always add an extra romantic touch. From fresh flowers to pearl bobby pins to decorative hair combs, there are tons of options when it comes to dressing up your hair.

Neon Necklace

Neon is the hottest spring trend, so this necklace is right on point. Plus, this project can't be any simpler.

Supplies:
• heavily ornamental necklace
• neon spray paint
• blue painter's tape
• newspaper or drop cloth

Neon Necklace Instructions
Get the Look:
1. Take a cheap ornamental necklace, like one from Forever 21/Primark or a thrift store, and decide which parts of the necklace will be painted.
2. Use painter's tape to tape off the parts of the necklace you don't want painted. Make sure the tape is on tight, especially on the edges.
3. Go to a well-ventilated area, and lay the necklace on a drop cloth or piece of newspaper. Spray paint the parts not covered in the tape.
4. Wait 20 minutes, and spray paint the necklace again. You can keep adding layers until you can't see the original metal/color underneath.
5. Leave the necklace for a couple of hours to make sure the color is completely dry.
6. Once dry, take off the painter's tape. If done correctly, those parts should have none of the spray paint on them. Now it's ready to wear.

How to Wear This Look

Try pairing this bright pop of color with a classic black or white dress. Bonus: this necklace is something that you can wear on casual occasions post-prom too. Just don't go too overboard with the neon. One section of the jewelry is plenty.

Studded Cuff

If your prom look is a little more rock 'n roll, you'll appreciate this studded cuff. Not only is it a little tough -- it does have studs -- but it's also sweet at the same time, with its teal color.

Supplies:
• teal ribbon
• strip of studs
• needle and thread
• belt clasp
• magnet
• strong glue, like E-6000

Studded Cuff Instructions

Get the Look:
1. Cut a piece of teal ribbon so it's a few inches too large when you wrap the ribbon around your wrist.
2. Cut the strip of plastic studs (you can find these at most fabric stores), so it's a tiny bit smaller, like 1/2-inch, than the teal ribbon.
3. Place the studded strip on top of the teal ribbon and center it. Sew the two pieces together at the places where the studs are attached to one another.
4. Once they are attached, loop one end of the ribbon through the belt clasp, and secure it underneath with a strong glue, like E-6000.
5. Wait for the glue to dry, then pull the other end of the ribbon through the other side of the clasp. Try it on your wrist. Once you have found the appropriate length, cut off any excess ribbon underneath, but leave at least 1/2-inch to run through the other side of the cuff.
6. To secure this side of the clasp -- and allow you to remove the cuff when you'd like -- attach a magnet (with a strong glue) to the underside of the cuff, and another magnet to side of the ribbon that pulls through the clasp. The two magnets should line up and connect to hold the cuff in place.

How to Wear This Look

If you're wearing a large statement bracelet like this cuff, try to balance out your other jewelery. Don't overload your look with a large necklace, dangly earrings, or over-sized cocktail rings. You should only have one statement jewelery piece -- that's why it's called a statement.

Ribbon Necklace

Here's another chic necklace that can highlight a variety of looks, depending on the type, style, and color of the ribbon, and whether you spray paint the beads another color. Feel free to get creative with this one.

Supplies:
• string of beads
• different colored ribbon
• 2 D-rings
• strong glue, like E-6000

Ribbon Necklace Instructions

Instructions:
1. Loop the string back and forth through the two D-rings, until you have the right amount of beads, and the length you'd like. Tie the ends of the strand of beads together to secure the loops.
2. Take a brightly colored ribbon and loop it through the D-ring, and glue it back onto itself. Wait for it to dry. Secure the other side of the ribbon the same way to the other D-ring.
3. Once dry, use another ribbon and tie a big bow on one of the D-rings. You can add multiple layers and make the bow as voluminous as you like.

How to Wear This Look

This necklace has so much versatility. You can change up the ribbons or the beads depending on your dress. If you want to make this design even simpler, remove the D-rings, and just wrap a strand of beads around your neck, and keep the ribbon bow on the side for additional interest.













Enjoy your DIY'ing!