Bedazzle all the things

Ok guys here it is, a post about how to make sparkly fly bonnets!  Because who doesn't want some of this:

Imagining this with a black bridle and silver clincher

First off, go to a bead store and find your favorite beads.  I'm always drawn to pearls, but beware they don't sparkle in the sun.

So many sparkles!!!

Try to keep with one or two general colors, unless you want a rainbow bonnet.

I want the purples on a grey bonnet

Also pick up some filament (heavy fishing line works, good bonding time with the hubby at Cabella's anyone?) and some clamp shells.

These are for the ends

First cut a generous piece of line, string on a shell and a small metal bead

This is also how you finish the strand so these pictures work for both

shell plus bead

Strand back through the hole in the shell and pull tight

Clamp the shell shut with pliers

After the first end is on string on the beads.  I like to lay out a pattern on a towel so they don't roll away.  I am rather OCD so I really like a perfect pattern, but with all the sparkle and the distance that this will be seen from it doesn't matter too much.

Strand 1 under construction

Me being OCD

Strand 2 under construction

After you have the strand finished off pin it on the bonnet

Lay it on

Pin it

Sew it on.  You can stop there or add another strand for crazy bling

Give it a try, go crazy.  

So if you read this and are feeling totally overwhelmed, sprinklerbandit and I are thinking about making these to sell, would anyone be interested?

Bling, blather, and new boy

Thanks to a sweet trade Diva now has a Nunn Finer brass/havana clincher browband!  This may hold me off from spending money (that I don't have) on a superfluous new bridle.  It looks great.

A girl needs bling

It matches her cliff barnsby bridle that I used to use on my big mare Genevieve.  She was a PMU foal, a Thoroughbred/Percheron and super athletic for her size.  We ran a few novice and schooled training.  She is now doing small jumps and extensive trail riding with her new mom:)

Different bridle here (Fall 2005)

I have to laugh, 8 years later and I have the upgraded model of shiny black princess (Diva).  I am contemplating giving Mr. Mojito a shave as soon as the weather is a bit more consistently warm, he is so freakin' hairy this winter.  It would be his first shave ever, a very grown up thing for him.  School is keeping on, I had two more tests this week and a group presentation.  No grades back yet, but I feel like I rocked them all!  This is the first time is years that I enjoyed a group project, we all fit into the 'overachiever'  category and it was an enjoyable experience.  I know my last post mentioned that the project was ridiculous and it was, but the group turned out good:).

'Chapy'

An owner claimed a new horse for the barn down at Golden Gate yesterday.  His name is Bluegrass Chap and he is 4 years old.  Eugene says he is sound and really likes his looks.  He has shown some potential but his last trainer couldn't seem to figure him out, step in Eugene.  He is great figuring out horses, we both seem to take on 'problem' horses in our respective areas of the horse world.  Chapy's looks remind me of a certain 'pollo pony that I used to have and is now living the best life with Rinsie.