Friday, October 18, 2013

Create Your Own Holiday Shoes

Create Your Own Holiday Shoes

Looking festive at holiday events is important, but it can also get expensive. Fortunately, with a little creativity, you can find lots of ways to save money on your holiday fashions and still look great. In fact, you can create your own, one of a kind holiday shoes. Want shoes that sparkle and shine like Dorothy’s in the Wizard of Oz? It’s very possible and the best is, it’s easy! Just follow along with these simple instructions.

Everyone wants to look great during the holiday season – DIY designs are a fun way to save money and give you a one-of-a-kind look; dd some sparkle to your old heels with glitter!

Getting Started

Gather one or more pairs of old pumps or high heels. A pair that is scuffed up will work just fine. All you really need to ensure is that the shoes fit and the soles are intact. You will be covering the outside with glitter. That’s where the sparkle will come from.

If you don’t have an old pair of shoes to use you can visit a second-hand shop and pick up a pair or two for a few bucks. After all, you might want to have a red glitter pair and another pair in gold or black.

The idea is to get creative and have fun with the project. You won’t be investing very much money and the craft project itself is fun.

Preparation:

This project can get messy so it is a good idea to create a work space by spreading newspaper on a flat working surface. The newspaper will ‘catch’ the overflow of glitter, which makes it easy to funnel it back into the container.

Things You Need

  • ·         Shoes
  • ·         Glitter
  • ·         Mod Podge
  • ·         Small Paint Brush
  • ·         Newspaper
  • ·         Painter’s Tape
  • ·         Scissors
  • ·         Ribbon (optional)
  • ·         Clear Spray Sealant
  • ·         Super Glue (optional)

Instructions:

Decide on a design for your shoes. You can cover the shoes completely in a single color of glitter or you may choose to create a pattern effect – that is, you might want the toes and heels of the shoes to be red and the rest to be black. You are the fashion designer!

If you choose to use a pattern you should use the painter’s tape to section the different areas off. It’s also a good idea to line the inside of your shoe with newspaper – this will help prevent glitter and the sealant from covering the inside your shoe.

Use the paint brush to cover the shoe or chosen section in Mod Podge. Complete one section, then you can do another.

Please note: If you want to add a bow made of ribbon at the back of the heel you should leave a space uncovered – this is where you will apply super glue to attach the bow. It is advisable to add a stitch or two through the bow to ensure that it will stay tied. You may also want to use a lighter to slightly heat the ribbon edges. This will prevent the ribbon from fraying.

After your shoes are completely covered in glitter you should take them outdoors to spray them with the sealant. Give them two generous coats.

Now is the time to add the final touch – the bow at the back of the heel if desired. Next – it’s time for you to step out in style!

Debbie Allen loves to write about DIY projects that help others save money and have fun. She believes simple Christmas traditions, like letters from Santa are the most meaningful ones.

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

No comments: