Paillette flower, ring style

I really loved the paillette flower I made as a part of the sequined headband a few days ago. Tonight, I decided to transform the paillette in a different way and make a few rings using this same technique.

I used the same technique before, creating the top of the flower and gluing it to the base. I then took this paillette and, using a hot glue gun, attached it to a ring base I had lying around.

The whole thing took under 30 minutes. And I made two! One for me and one for a lucky friend somewhere out there who is going to get this as a present.

I think the rings look funky and  are totally fun for night or day. Of course, I am absolutely obsessed with rings in general and will probably be wearing mine constantly.

Plus, I figured out how to use my camera... and it only took me five years of owning it. Don't these pictures look about 1,000x better?! I think they have a cool, artsy feel that complements the awesome paillette flower ring.

Shinyyyyy

I have been in desperate need of some new accessories for spring; if you can call the current wintry mix feels like 23 degree weather "spring", that is. I figured that something shiny might make me feel slightly better, at least.

I have been wanting to make Martha's Paillette Flower Headband for months now. I am an avid headband wearer, especially when I am way too lazy straighten my bands or when it is so wet outside my hair immediately fizzes us.

I bought a set of super cheap headbands at my local CVS for under five dollars (and even got bonus hairbands to go with them!). I had stringed sequins on hand from a previous craft, the Bold Bauble Necklace I made in honor of Mardi Gras earlier this month. Using a hot glue gun, I carefully glued the sequins onto the headband and let it sit.

Then, I made the paillette flower. My fantastic mother had picked up small paillettes from the garment district a few weeks ago, in a nice goldish color. For beads, I used some excess crimps I had lying around. I strung five paillettes, alternating with beads, onto a beading wire. I looped the opposite end of the wire back through the paillettes and beads, creating the center of the flower. I then glued together five more paillettes to create the base of the flower and glued the floral center onto the top.

I glued the flower onto the headband, and tada! I was done. I think it looks pretty cute. Next time, I'll try it with some larger paillettes to make more of a statement, but for now, I like what I have.

Instructions
 
Use paillette flowers for rings, headband accents, and shoe decorations.
Tools and Materials

• Silver embroidery thread
• Needle
• 10 paillettes
• 4 beads
• Magna-Tac glue

Paillette Flowers How-To

1. Make the flower center: Use needle and thread to string 5 paillettes and the beads, beginning with a paillette and alternating. Tightly gather thread to form paillettes and beads into an open book shape. Knot thread, and trim excess.
2. Make the flower base: Arrange remaining 5 paillettes in an overlapping circle, like petals; secure with glue and let dry.
3. Glue the flower center to the flower base; let dry.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: How to Make Paillette Flowers - Martha Stewart Crafts