Okay, so I saw these super cute Barbie tennis shoes online, and I just had to try and make my own. I mean, who doesn’t love a little pink and sparkle in their life? I’m not a pro at DIY or anything, but it seemed fun, so here’s how it all went down.
Getting Started
First, I grabbed an old pair of plain white sneakers. They were kinda beat up, but perfect for a makeover. Nothing fancy, just your basic canvas shoes.
Gathering My Supplies
- Pink fabric paint: I chose a bright, bubblegum pink, of course!
- Glitter: Because everything is better with glitter. I found some super fine, iridescent stuff.
- Paintbrushes: A couple of different sizes, one for bigger areas and a tiny one for details.
- Masking tape: To keep my lines somewhat straight…ish.
- Sealer: I picked up some fabric paint sealer to hopefully make the design last longer.
The Fun Part: Painting!
I taped off the soles of the shoes to keep them clean. Then, the messy part began! I started painting the shoes with the pink fabric paint. It took, like, three coats to get a really solid, even color. I made sure to let each coat dry completely before starting the next one. The waiting was the hardest part, seriously!
Adding the Sparkle
Once the pink was all dry and perfect, it was glitter time! I mixed some of the glitter into a little bit of the fabric paint sealer, making a sparkly, magical concoction. I carefully, well, somewhat carefully, painted the glitter mixture all over the shoes. Oh my goodness, it was looking so cute already!
Finishing Touches
After the glitter layer dried (again, with the waiting!), I brushed on a final coat of just the plain sealer. I think this helped to lock in the glitter and make it less likely to shed all over my house. I let them dry overnight, just to be super sure.
The Result
Okay, they’re not perfect. There are a few smudges, and the lines aren’t exactly laser-straight. But honestly, I love them! They’re super fun, super Barbie, and totally unique. I wore them out to the grocery store today, and I got so many compliments. Definitely a successful DIY in my book!
