Monday, August 26, 2013

ANTHROPOLOGIE-INSPIRED BEADED HEADBAND

Outfit Details: Top/Cardigan: Old Navy.  Skirt: TJ Maxx.  Necklace: Target.  Headband: Yours Truly.

I've been oohing and ahhing over the beaded headbands at Anthropologie for the past few months.  I just couldn't bring myself to fork over the $32 for one, though.  Well, a few weeks ago, my mom and I were shopping and found something similar at Ann Taylor Loft.  There was a deal going on for jewelry where you buy one and get the second one 50% off.  So my mom got a bracelet, and I finally got a beaded headband!  Yay for end of summer deals and for moms. 

I love the way mine spices up even a boring t-shirt, so I decided I wanted to try to make one myself in another color.  I mean, how hard could it be?  Pretty darn hard, actually.  

I found a really cute headband online with yellow beads from Anthropologie that has been sold out for a while and thought the design might be something feasible for me to attempt.

Well, after 3 failed attempts and about 15 hours, I finally finished it.  It does not look like the tailored Anthropologie version, but if I squint really hard, there's some resemblance there.  It doesn't really matter that it doesn't look as great as the store bought version, though.  I felt a sense of accomplishment just for finishing it and putting my own spin on it.  Wearing it the next day made me feel like a million bucks.  I had poured my sweat and tears into it, so I wore it proudly.  I've got even bigger plans for the next one.

Below is the Anthropologie headband as well as the one I made.  Mine looks better from a distance.

never mind the piece of string in my hair

I learned a lot through the process, mostly about what not to do that will be helpful on my next attempt.  For example, it's helpful to cut the pattern before you bead the headband.  I tried beading and then cutting out the shape afterwards, only to find that I had snipped a string.  As 2 hours worth of beads started falling off, I just had myself a good cry fest.  Then I slapped on some hot glue and called it a day.  

I don't know why I was so fanatical about making one.  I think it was because my husband thought it would be too hard, and I wouldn't be able to do it.  Challenge accepted.  Do you ever get like that?  Crazy with a one-track mind about completing a certain project?

11 comments:

  1. OMG KARI!!! I LOVE IT!!! I think you did such an awesome job with it!! It's so pretty!! I want to make one!! But I know how hard beading can be so I'm going to have to think on it for a while. I am in love with yours though. I think it's a pretty darn good anthro knock off. You should be very proud wearing it. I would. That's what I love about DIY. You get this sense of pride when you finish something that it doesn't matter its not authentic.

    OMG! That must have sucked when you snipped the string. I would have cried for sure. Heck I probably would have thrown a temper tantrum to be honest.

    Still loving that necklace by the way. :)

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  2. Wow I am so impressed! Seriously, that looks really hard to make and it looks remarkably like the other one from Anthro. I love your outfit too. Your style is really sweet and unique. I probably would have cried over snipping the string and undoing the work, too. I just made a whole giveaway widget for my blog and then didn't save it. Even though it only took me 15-20 minutes, I was still pretty pissed when I found out I had to start over. That kinda stuff is just so irritating. Hopefully it builds patience at least. I can't wait to see your next creations!

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  3. It looks pretty darn close to the Anthro version to me! Cute!

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  4. It's wonderful, well done you! I am so impressed that you went out and made one yourself. Snipping the string would have pushed me over the edge I think!

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  5. This is so pretty! I love this outfit, I have never been to a TJ Maxx before! I didn't even notice the string until I read what you wrote under it :P

    ♥ Brittney @ True Vintage Love
    http://www.truevintagelove.com

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  6. Beautiful! I have totally gotten myself into similar projects where I thought "this will be easy!" and it takes 6 hours - it's the curse of always wanting to DIY and thinking you can do anything:) This turned out so gorgeous though!

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  7. this is really cute! pretty outfit too!

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  8. Cute necklace
    www.adoramehitabel.co.uk

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  9. Such a cute idea! Perfect for those days when my curly hair decides to treat me to extra fly-aways! Definitely going to attempt this!

    By the way, where did you get your necklace? I'm in love with it!

    - Stephanie
    www.stephaniedawnblog.blogspot.com

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  10. I have a pillow with a beaded message on it (DIY), so I definitely understand beading being SO. MUCH. HARDER than you expect. Your headband looks really good for a first attempt, especially if there was hot glue involved.
    Well, at the summer camp where I worked, my team captain didn't think I could do ten dizzy lizzies for our apache relay. I proved her right. Woops!

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  11. I am still in love with your headband Kari. Thanks so much for sharing this at "That's My Style" Link Party!!! You made my day. I can't wait to see what you have to share this week. :)

    Karla @ www.MySerendipitousLife.com

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