Sunday, August 31, 2008

Did It Myself: Studded Shoes

I love to DIY - sometimes it's really the best way to get what you want for very little cost. I've shared a few photos of past projects, but this is my first DIY post.

The subject for this post is this quite average looking, $30 pair of shoes that I bought to wear to work for a few weeks last summer. I would've loved to have gotten something nicer but these were all I could get in my size at the time. Since then, I've hardly worn them and they've been sitting in the back of my closet, catching dust.




Usually if I have clothes that aren't being worn, I either sell them, give them away or reconstruct them. I got the idea to revamp these shoes with studs earlier on in the summer from these amazing Christian Louboutin Ariella boots (below), but it completely slipped my mind.




However, the idea resurfaced in my brain when I spotted these Colin Stuart Studded booties (below) that are becoming very popular with fashion bloggers everywhere, and the Newport News lace-up boots which are featured two posts below.




So yesterday I went to a craft store in town and bought some studs, 120 to be exact, which I estimated would be just about enough to cover both shoes. Once again, my crappy math skills failed me as I actually only ended up using 40 to cover only the back and side of both shoes.

I decided to go with less-flashy looking studs so I used these long-pronged, circular studs that have a kind of dull, brassy colour. I figured if I used studs that were too shiny, they would probably look out of place on the shoes.




I pressed a stud into the shoe to mark where I wanted it to go then I used a stencil knife to further punch a hole through the material. When the hole was punched, I stuck the stud through it and used a needle-nose pliers to bend the stud teeth as flat as possible to the inside of the shoe.

I just repeated that process for the other 39 studs until I was finally finished!





One word of advice if you do this though - do NOT attempt to put in all the studs without stopping to give your fingers a break. They will be very sore and swollen the next day...like mine are right now :(

I'm also wondering if I should cover the whole shoe in studs. There's a risk in messing up the whole thing because there isn't much space at the front of the shoe to manoeuvre my hands so I may not be able to get the studs to go in the way I want. Secondly, I'm not sure if the all-over studded look suits this style of shoe and lastly, my fingers are desperately pleading with me not to!

What do you think? Should I give it a shot and cover these shoes in studs or should I leave them as they are?

90 comments:

uneventriΔngle said...

thankyou!
The shoes are great!
xx

Miranda said...

i just added you to my blogroll :)
and great DIY!
personally i think you should just leave them as they are. less is more! especially due to the style of this shoe. there's a clear break (i'm not sure how to explain?) in the design on the side whereas in the VS and the louboutin there isn't really much of a break.
basically, i think they're wonderful the way they are right now. and besides, your hands deserve a break after such great work! :)

well that was an abnormally long comment... O:-)

Seeker said...

Wow, great work!!!!
I like very much the way they are.

xoxo

Siljesfashion said...

I think they look great, but will be even more fierce if you covered them in total! Oh and i gave in and ordered the Stuart Weizmann one. I dont have your talent for this I think. Well done!

Ti Dickenson said...

cover the whole things in studs, but they are cuteeeee

Unknown said...

that's pretty impressive and sounds like something i'd do. although my adventures un shoe revamping are a bit elementary compared to your advanced work here!

hmmmm...i do like them as they are but can also se then completely covered being worn with a black outfit and accessories to compliment the studs. but really...either way works.

Tricia said...

what an amazing transformation, impressive! I think they look great as is and they suit the shoe style. which now is so much more interesting! well done.

Secretista said...

Well done!

Anonymous said...

i think they're fabulous the way they are! i agree with you that you may run into problems the further forward you go because your fingers might have a harder time pushing the studs close. so i say don't risk it! they're fabulous already!

Anonymous said...

i'll add your link to my page!

Fashion Is Poison said...

you did a great job!

Sharon S said...

Hi Danz-My, soo creative and skillful, well done!! I reckon they would look great with all over studding, but as long as there is no discomfort from the back of the studs where they are inside the shoe-let your fingers rest more and go for it!!

Sophista-Funk said...

I'm super impressed with this project and your blog, I added it to our blogroll ! Wow! I kind of like the idea of just having the backs of the shoes studded- it's seems like a reverse of the standard styles.
-jillian

Charlotte said...

les chaussures cloutées sont géniales kis!

Sydneydoll said...

omg!!!!

wow thats incredible.
i think i may try myself.
i just need appropriate shoes.

wow that blows my mind how amazing that is.

thanks for the instructions.

i think you should do the whole shoe if its for parties but if the shoes are for work then leave them how they are.

la petite mademoiselle said...

nice idear! great work!
i think i also like studs in the front, but it is very difficult...

that socks are very very old! from my mother like in the sixties!
thanks for your nice comment!

Style Spot said...

Great DIY, you're so talented! I really like the way they are, but I think that if you covered them, they would become more edgy. I like some of my shoes to be edgy so that I can team them up with "cute" clothes and create a contrast.

I hope you've had a lovely start to your week!

xxx

Gala Gonzalez said...

Thanks babe,i think the DIY its real fun,but im not sure about the heel on those shoes...the rest looks brilliant!

Eeli said...

Hmm thats a tricky one. Its rather cute as it is but if your poor fingers aren't to permanently damaged it would be quite the sight (in a marvelous way) to see an entire studded pair.

P.S bribery of siblings will generally get you a long way...

Good Luck!

pinup_girl said...

Those shoes look great! I really should try that project sometime. I always loved those Christian Louboutin studded shoes but knew I could never afford them. I never thought of creating my own pair. Awesome!

loveology said...

Wow, so cool!
You did such a great job!

Bye, love.
<3

Ida said...

Wow, I am speechless. You've just turned a pair of plain shoes into the most unique AND classy studded heels I have ever seen.

I would leave them exactly as they are, as they look perfect already.

Have a wonderful new week, dearest Danz!

xxxx

Cheryl Lynn Pastor said...

I LIKE EM! You should leave them just the way they are, I think. The way the studs are placed gives that kind of show just the edge it needs.

YOU ROCK!

Mimi said...

Wow - great job! I have no patience for DIY projects, but admire those who can

S (formerly of Modern-Guilt) said...

That is AWESOME! I love them just the way they are - so so cool and creative :)

Edirin said...

thats actually not bad, i was thinking "oh no" but it came out pretty well done

A BIT COQUETTISH said...

awesome! i think i'm gonna attempt that! =)
& of course i'd like to trade links! i've just added you!

Cate said...

ooh the colin stuart studded boots are gorgeous! i doubt that i could walk in them though ;-)
it must have been immense work to cover both shoes in studs... wow, hat off to you! how long did it take you? i believe you when you say your fingers are sore and swollen now :-( hmmm... now i'm just thinking about whether you should cover the whole shoe in studs or not. it looks fabulous as it is, i assure you. but i say: give it a shot and add more studs! it will look brilliant, i think!

Syed said...

Oh wow, amazing job!!

Anonymous said...

you're so talented! i couldn't stud anything if my life depended on it. nice work, sugar. =)

lara said...

Great work! I'm thinking of doing something like this as well, because I can't find studded shoes and I really want some :)

Christina Lee said...

Wow, I am impressed!!!!
I think you should just leave them as is- and start wearing them!
Thanksfor the comment-I would love to link share- adding you today!!!

Jen (MahaloFashion) said...

they look amazing
great job on the diy
I've bought studs too, but I have yet to do anything with them!

Couture Carrie said...

Great work, D!
You are an inspiration . . .
And I think leave them as is, with studs just in the back; more likely to stand the test of time & trends, right?

Btw, thanks for your sweet comment on my last ABC post and your suggestion for a repeat performance in upcoming seasons - other readers are agreeing with you! An alphabet may be in order for Spring 2009...

xoxox,
CC

Unknown said...

Right on girl! You've done a fabulous job with the shoes. I'm really impressed!

starbrained said...

This is a great DIY, I wish I had the skill. :( Anyway, I think that they would look fantastic covered completely.

Reena Rai said...

That's gotta be the most amazing DIY I've seen! I looove the studded look but really don't have the skill myself

Lindsay said...

those look awesome! leave them they way they are!

loving your blog!! i'm adding you to my blog roll!

Sienna said...

Wow! great idea..your so talented & creative!

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

great job...owhen I learnt to make shoes one of the first lessons tasks I was set was to punch studs into sheets of leather. It was mind numbing. That you punched studs into shoes that have already been made...bravo! I now exactly how twisted and sore your fingers must be.xxx

Hunters Glory said...

love the second pic of the studded boots!

Ariel said...

That's such an awesome diy. Do the stud teeth hurt? I might wanna do this.

Anonymous said...

those came out AMAZING!

jess said...

i love diy

CULTURE CREATORS said...

Great job sweetie! I've been dying to stud a pair of mine but I haven't got around to it yet:/
As always thanks for the comment:)


happy labor day,
CC

Elizabeth said...

I like what you've done. I'd suggest trying to stud the rest of the shoe if you're confident you can get far enough up the toe. If not, then leave them as they are, because they look great.

TINA said...

Those came out amazing! That's suchg an awesome DIY project.

Marian said...

great work hun!your diy defo paid off! they look good and i like the area you chose to stud,i think it makes it more interesting!I think it will work fab as it is as opposed to studding it all.
well done again Danz!
kisses
Marian

Debbie Shiamay said...

Im thinking to leave the front studless... Or maybe you could spice it up with coloured studs instead. But it looks fab the way you did it already... I trust that whichever u choose ur shoes will look one of a kind!!!

Rebecca Jane said...

Seriously! Amazing! That was such an ambition project and you did it fabulously! I say leave them as is.

Thanks so so much for your lovely comment, and you've officially been added to my collection of "Fashionable Fare" - I highly enjoy your blog!

Ro said...

OMG way cool! I'll have to try this some day. I rather like them the way they are. They have more of a stylish impact by being concentrated to the back.

And yes, I'd love to trade links! I'm always looking for new blog friends :) Thank you for introducing me to your blog!

Egle Z. said...

Wow they look actually super cool! Well done! Thanks for taking a look at my blog :)
xxxxx

Bombchell said...

wow your pretty courageous.

i'd probably only try that, with my eyes on google, reading some tutorial, hopefully with pics. lol

dalia said...

great minds think alike! well... sort of. i have a pair of tall boots that i want to make slouchy, and i have to figure out how to do it while maintaining the zipper's integrity.

nice job on the shoes - just make sure you don't snag your stockings on the studs from the inside...

FashionSqueah! said...

Oh I love those shoes! Personally, I'd leave them as they are because they do look really ace and there's a risk that they won't if you keep going, also what if you started then never got finished - they'd be back to lying in the closet! Thanks for the comment, want to swap links? Char x

Hey Harriet said...

WOW!!! They look great as is! You've done a wonderful job on them! Pity about the sore fingers though :(

chlozzard said...

this is such a good idea!
sure, ill add you too my blog list now :)
xx

Miby said...

OMG!
What a lovely work you've done! Such a great idea, they look gorgeous now! Absolutely brilliant and actually I will leave them as they are now! They are just fantastic!! :)

Ps. Thanks a lot for your sweet commet! :) xxxx

Unknown said...

oh wow fabulous DIY!

Anonymous said...

wow! impressive! i wish i had your patience!

Anonymous said...

i'd say stick with what you got - they look great. great idea!

Kira Aderne said...

It really changed the shoe, fantastic!!!!

a kiss my friend,

and I love this fashion fever!

Milly said...

leave them the way they are..like you said you might not be able to cover them all

Angela said...

oh my gosh, good for you!!!!!

Toni Alexis said...

hey girly!

you did a great job! bravo! i suggest leaving them as they are, they are perfect!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

They're so cool ! I think you should leave them as they are.

Tracey R Gates said...

Wow. These are gorgeous! I'd leave them as is. So stylish.

Erin said...

Wow, great job! I think they look great the way they are, but they could also look super kick-ass studded all over... hmmmm...

La Clocharde said...

You are so talented darling!

I would definitely leave them like they are...they look great, and I bet they look even greater on you :).

Anonymous said...

You go! Great job. I like that you didn't go overboard like some styles do.

♥ Marta ♥ said...

OMG, they look so cool... good job :)

Lil Midget said...

That is simply awesome!

Francis Girard said...

womama - they are amazing!!! how about wrapping your swollen fingers around a ice cold cocktail to ease the redness and celebrate your new career as a high end shoe designer..... well done you. xf

Wendiva said...

these are super bling and AMAAAAAAZING!!! love love love the theme here!!!

Anonymous said...

wow, well done! you did a really great job!
x

LEESH said...

okay.. WAY RAD diy! i freaking love your shoes so much... i'm totally going to get myself a pair of thrifted black heels and studd them. mmm
x

Tiffany said...

I like them just how you have them. So impressed with your "studding" skills! I think I would've given up after the first 3 studs.

Lauren said...

so coool!!! they look awesome now but they would also look super sexy if you went for the whoel thing!tough call!

Tina Tang said...

what a great idea! Good job. Love it when inspiration strikes and you actually go out and take charge.

congrats!

yiqin; said...

Ahh I wish to get some plain flats/sandals & stud them as well!!!!

Vain and Vapid said...

Love it, they look awesome....

Anonymous said...

You did a killer job. I did the same thing to these forever21 boots I have, but I took a different approach. I used flat iron on studs that I applied to my ankle boot with black latex glue. I have them posted on the blog if you want to check them out. Great DIY!

Anonymous said...

wow. very impressive. it looks great.

LuLu124 said...

OMGSH danz!!! you're one amazing DIY-ist!!!! the shoes look amaaaazing :D xoxo, lulu ♥

Madame Dior said...

amazing! it looks like you brought them from the shops! i hope your fingers are better though =]

Always In Style said...

Get outta here - I am so impressed with your handiwork!

Pamela Tan said...

wow!! great diy post!! :)

i wish i was that patient! :)

Diana Coronado said...

Pretty well done !!

glimmeringmetal said...

looks great but question, do the back of the studs bug your skin when you walk in them? i always wanted to stud shoes myself but it seems like the back might bug me :P

Roller shoes said...

thank you for share,good post