Happy Halloween from Spooky Witch Popcorn!

Be seeing you.

- W.

Nails

I've been loving all of these spiked hair accessories that I've been seeing around lately (this Solene Lord of War comb by Maison Michel is particularly transcendent) and really wanted to make a few variations of my own. 

The spiked hair combs and barrettes are pretty simple to make and just take some super glue and a little patience. The headband project requires a little more elbow grease but I think the result is well worth the trouble.

You'll Need:

For the comb/barrette:

plastic or metal comb/barrette

spikes

liquid super glue

ruler (optional)

For the headband:

flexible rubber or plastic headband

spikes

awl

drafting pencil (optional)

ruler (optional) 

Spiked Comb/Barrette

Line up your spikes next to the comb or barrette to figure out how you want them spaced and how many spikes you will need. You can use a ruler to evenly space them if you like. Make sure the area you are gluing the spikes to on your comb/barrette is as large as or larger than the base of your spikes. If the spike isn't completely anchored to the surface, it could pop off after the glue dries.

Apply glue to the base of the spike. Be sure to use a glue that says it is compatible with both metal and plastic. I like the brush-on Krazy Glue because its brush applicator is really easy to use and cuts down a lot on mess. Place the spike unto the comb/barrette. Start at one end. You'll have a few seconds to scoot it around if it isn't in the perfect place at first. Hold it in place for at least 30 seconds for the glue to set up. You may have to hold onto it for longer depending on the glue you are using. Apply your next spike to the opposite end and then start working out from the middle, this will help you judge exactly where to put the remaining spikes.

After your spikes are firmly in place, you can go back and add a little extra glue in any gaps between the spikes and the comb/barrette. Be sure to let your piece dry for a few hours before you start to play with it in you hair. Once it's completely dried, you can scratch off any glue mess that may be left behind on the surface.

Spiked Headband

Set out your spikes next to your headband in a pattern you like. For this project, you'll need spikes that are made to be attached with screws.

A screw-back spike

I chose to only put spikes on the side half of my headband but you could also have spikes all the way around or just in the middle. I just eyeballed where to put my spikes but if you prefer, use a ruler to space the spikes evenly and mark where you want to place them with a contrasting drafting pencil or with a small indentation from the awl.

Use the awl to poke holes where you've marked the headband. If you don't have an awl, you can use a sharp screw and a screw driver to drill the holes. I ended up having to use a screw to enlarge my holes because my awl wasn't big enough. Be sure to work on a surface you won't damage.

Once all of your holes are poked, push the screws that came with your spikes through them. 

Attach your spikes! You can use all matching ones or a mix of different types. You can also swap out the spikes whenever you're in the mood for something new!

I got all my spikes from Studs and Spikes. Here are the types I used in these projects.

From left to right: Sz 55 Silver Cone Spike, Large Dragon Claw, Sz 30 Silver Tree Spike, Sz 28 Golden Cone Spike, 1" Golden Tree Spike 

-W 

Flowers and a Heart for Your Head

Flower Headband

Glitter Heart Barrette

Both of these projects are super easy and quick to do. Why not make something pretty for yourself this Valentine's?

You'll Need:

For the flower headband:         

Fake flowers          

Headband             

Hot glue gun          

Wire cutters   

For the glitter heart barrette:

Felt

Glitter

Barrette or bobby pin

Scissors

White glue
Foam brush

Hot glue gun

Flower Headband

Use the wire cutters to remove the flowers from their stems. Make sure you cut them so that the base on the flower left behind is mostly flat.

Put the bare headband on and look in the mirror. Decide where you would like the flowers to begin and end. You can also play around with the flowers in the mirror and see which combinations you like best.

Get your hot glue gun ready!

You can plan ahead and arrange the flowers down next to the headband in a composition you like them in or, like me, just start gluing and see what happens. If you don't like how your headband is turning out, it should be pretty easy to pull the flowers off of the headband once the hot glue dries. If your flowers' petals are glued together though, they may rip a little.

I found it easiest to glue the larger flowers down first and then to fill in the gaps with smaller blooms and buds after.



Glitter Heart Barrette

Cut your felt into heart shapes.

To make your hearts symmetrical, fold the felt into small squares before cutting, with a small pin to keep the felt folded as you cut. You could also trace a heart onto the felt or just freehand it. The edges don't need to be perfectly perfect because the glitter, the coarser and bigger the better, will camouflage flaws.

Use the foam brush to paint the front of your heart with white glue.

Hold the heart over a bowl that you don't mind getting dirty. Sprinkle it heavily with glitter. Pat the glitter onto the glue softly. Let sit for a few seconds and then tap the excess glitter into the bowl. If your heart needs more glitter after this step, scoop up the glitter in the bowl and you can use it again. You can also recollect any remaining glitter at the end of the project and save it.

Let the heart dry completely before the next step!

Once completely dry, turn the heart over and use your hot glue gun to glue the barrette or bobby pin to the back of the heart. If the heart isn't completely dry, your glitter will come off in big chunks when you turn it over!



Thread a small piece of ribbon through the clip and secure both ends with a little hot glue.

Sparkle baby!

-W