HOW TO: DIY glitter shoes

Glitter isn’t just for Ke$ha anymore.

In the past year, big name designers, such as Christian Louboutin and Barneys New York, have released collections including shoes covered in sparkly glitter. Even Chanel has come out with a pair.

The problem is, like anything designer, they don’t come cheap, and while $500 is definitely out of a college student’s budget, even buying a pair from Target or Wal-Mart is going to cost you anywhere from $15 to $20.

Luckily, for a fraction of the cost, you can make your own. It’s a simple process that takes an hour at the most, and leaves you with a pair of shoes that look like they cost a million bucks.

Here’s what you need:

-Mod Podge

-glitter of your choice (gold was chosen for the example above)

-bowl

-paint brushes (various sizes)

-tape (optional)

-sheet/tablecloth

-old shoes or new shoes; your pick

The majority of these things can be found at a craft store like Jo-Ann’s or even a variety store like Meijer or Wal-Mart and they shouldn’t cost more than $5 total. Even better, one container of Mod Podge will be enough to make several pairs of shoes.

As far as the shoes go, the sky is really the limit. You can buy a pair new and fix them up or give an old pair new life. Goodwill and Salvation Army are great places to find new or gently used shoes and boots at a low cost.

Once you have your materials, your first step is to prepare your area. Unless you want a glitter carpet, put down some old newspapers or an old sheet.

Next, prepare your mixture. Mix the glitter with a little bit of Mod Podge. Not too much, your mixture should be thick. And don’t worry if it’s white, it’ll dry clear.

Once you have your glitter mixture done, grab your shoes! Your next step is to figure out how you would like your shoes to look. Sometimes shoes have a clear area that is perfect for glitter, other times you’ll have to get a little creative. Look online for ideas. If you don’t want to freehand a design, tape up the areas you don’t want glittery and leave the part you’d like to paint open.

Use your mixture to paint your shoe and don’t be afraid to cake it on. The thicker the better, it’ll add to the effect and remember, don’t worry about the whiteness of the Mod Podge mixture; it’ll dry clear. Use a variety of paintbrushes-wide ones for larger areas and smaller ones for details.

Once you’ve painted your shoe, let it dry. Your best bet is to leave it overnight, but if you really want to, you can make them in the morning and wear them that evening. You should also spray them with a sealant to hold in the glitter and weatherproof them, otherwise you could find yourself pulling a TinkerBell and leaving trails of glitter everywhere you go.