For today’s DIY project, I’m finally putting to use a bag of studs that I bought months ago. Urban Outfitters is having an end-of-season sale (like the rest of the retailing world), and currently has canvas sneakers priced at 2 for $30. I saw that and my inner kindergarten crafter nerd started squealing. Not only do I have something to studify (that’s now a word), but if I mess up—which happens on the reg—I have a backup pair of sneakers! It was a happy day.

All you’ll need for this project is:

• Canvas sneakers: Converse would work, or just visit UO’s sale
• Studs: I purchased mine from Studs and Spikes and got the Medium 3/8” Silver Pyramid Studs (I know, I know, the website is creepy as all hell)
• Pliers

You can really stud any part of the shoe you’d like, but I opted to do the heel and outline the seam separating the laces from the toes.

Push the stud’s teeth through the canvas, and then fold the teeth flat on top of each other using the pliers. Repeat and repeat some more.

If the pliers can’t reach the stud (this happened for me with the studs closest to the shoe’s sole), use the closed nose of the pliers to push the teeth down. It shouldn’t take too much extra exertion.

Make sure all the teeth are folded down flat so that you don’t snag yourself when you go to wear your new badass studded sneakers.

You'll Also Love:

First off, I apologize for getting this post up so late in the day. You’ll have to bear with me today and tomorrow as I’ll be on island for Taste of the Vineyard, an annual event I’ll share more about Monday.

I’ve been holding on to these Rock & Republic white jeans for a while, but the bottoms ceased to be “white” long ago. Long inseams are great when you’re A. a giant (like me) and B. wearing heels; but when you throw flats into the equation, the ends are bound to take a beating.

Unwilling to part with these pants because they fit so well, I got the idea to give them an ombre dye job makeover. Technically, they were already ombre, with the bottom hemline being a grunge black, slowly fading into a dirt brown and then a dust tan. But I figured concealing that ombre with a blue ombre fade would be prettier and much more socially acceptable to wear in public.

SUPPLIES

• Rit Dye (I used Denim Blue)
• A bucket
• Rubber gloves
• Measuring cup
• Laundry detergent
• Salt
• Warm-hot water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill the bucket with warm-hot water, a tbsp of laundry detergent and a handful of salt. I used my bathtub for an easy fill.
2. Soak the pants completely in the water. Ring out excess water and remove.
   
3. Fill a measuring cup with 2 cups hot water and the whole package of Rit Dye. Stir until completely dissolved.
4. Pour in ¼ cup of the dye mixture into the bucket. Submerge jean legs into the dye bath up to the point where you want the ombre fade to start. Let soak for 10 minutes. Ring out excess liquid and remove. Add another ¼ cup dye to the bath and submerge jean legs again, this time with a few less inches in the bucket. Soak 5 minutes. Ring out excess liquid and remove. Repeat 3 more times, adding ½ cup dye to the bath each time, and soaking for 5 minutes.
   
5. Rinse your newly dyed jeans with cold water until it runs clear (excess dye has been removed). Let air-dry.
   
6. To get the full “fade” effect and blend the visible lines dividing each color shade, I then hand-washed the jeans in cold water, being sure to keep the top, white part out of the sink (to avoid color runs).

This technique can be used on denim of any color to create the ombre look. Bye-bye dirty, stained jeans; hello, trendy ombre pants!

You'll Also Love: