DIY Downton Abbey Lady Mary Inspired Headband/Tiara

I mentioned in my tea party post that I would share the details of the DIY head band that I made last minute and wore to the party.  Here’s my inspiration… Isn’t it beautiful?

It was inspired by Lady Mary’s gorgeous wedding tiara from the show.  I knew I wanted to make mine inexpensively and on a much less formal scale (I wasn’t going to be getting married after all), and just needed it for my party.  My version was pretty quick and easy to make, and I have to admit, I felt a little royal wearing it 😉  I realize that it’s not an exact replica, and that’s not what I wanted.  I wanted to make something that was my own, but was a nod to the original.

I headed to Joann Craft Store to look for anything that I could use that resembled the small leaves on Lady Mary’s tiara.  

I ended up finding this necklace bottom with metallic leaves from Tori Spelling’s jewelery line, and although they were a bit larger than my inspiration piece, I figured it was the closest that I was going to get.  I bought it, along with a pretty sparkly piece from the same line (I couldn’t find a photo of it online).  I also bought a thin metal headband.

When I got home, I bent the small metal rings that held the leaves onto the necklace, and pulled off some of the metal leaves.  I just used the silver leaves, but there were also some gold ones, too, that could be used to make another headband.

First I glued the sparkly piece onto the a small piece of black felt using E6000 glue (which is very strong).  Then I glued the felt piece attached to the jewelry to the headband. Then I glued a matching felt piece to the other side of the headband to make sure that it was nice and secure.  

Next I glued the metal leaves onto the headband using E6000.  I arranged them so that they were overlapping each other and not perfectly straight.  You could also use felt to secure the leaves onto the headband if you wanted to.  I added some small rhinestones to add some sparkle to the piece.  I left the headband alone overnight so the glue could dry.

I love the way the final headband looks!  Sparkly, elegant, and unique.

If you love Downton Abbey, or tea parties, you can see my Downton Abbey Tea Party post here, and print out a free printable Downton Abbey quiz to test your knowledge (and your friends’ too) of the show and the characters.  I made it a bit challenging, so if you’re a fan of the show, you can go here and see how you do!  

xo, Laura