DIY Thumb Tack Studded Shoe

This is an incredibly simple and inexpensive DIY that can transform a plain wedge into a very interesting studded shoe that is guaranteed to get you compliments. No special tools or bedazzler required!


The Inspiration: "Tick" shoe by Jeffrey Campbell - $150

What you'll need:

  • Wedge or platform shoes with the heel made from rubber or any firm yet penetrable substance (foam, stacked leather, cork, etc.)

  • 400-600 silver or brass thumb tacks
  • A hammer (optional)

All you need is a pair of wedge or platform shoes made of a firm yet penetrable substance. I used an old pair of Cole Haan for Nike shoes with rubber wedges. Finding thumb tacks was trickier than I'd thought it would be. They only had white ones at Wal-Mart, Target didn't have the right kind, Staples only had one package, and the ones at Office Depot were a bit overpriced. I recommend checking Staples (maybe call ahead) or you can also order them online. I used almost 400 on my shoes. If you have more space to cover you may need 500 or 600, but that should do it unless you're studding a monster pair of Demonia platforms or something. Once you have everything ready, just go for it! Stick your thumb tacks in brick-layer style, the way one would build a pyramid, so the tacks will cover as much space as possible. If you stick them too close or too far apart, it's an easy fix to just remove the tack and try again. Go over your work with a hammer just to make sure the tacks are flush with the wedge. Ta!

Your plain old shoe is now amazing! The studs resemble metal scales and are very satisfyingly cool to the touch. I can't stop petting mine! In case you're wondering, the thumb tacks are very firmly in place and I highly doubt I'll lose any with wear.


If you give this a shot, please do send me a link or pics.
I'd love to see how yours turn out!

If you don't want to take the time to do this DIY, the Jeffrey Campbell Tick is sold out from most places, but there may be a pair on eBay:

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Other easy DIY posts you might like:

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Filed in: DIY by Annie Spandex.


51 Responses to “DIY Thumb Tack Studded Shoe”

  1. Wanderlusting, on February 1st, 2010 at 10:00 pm Said:

    Such a rad idea. I did something similar by hand studding and spiking a pair of cheap flats and boots but I didn’t have enough patience than to do more than a few rows. Ill have to try this when I feel inspired :)

  2. Michelle, on February 1st, 2010 at 10:13 pm Said:

    Wow – I had heard someone else mention this, but I didn’t think it would look so cool! I also thought they’d be prone to falling out. I definitely want to give this a try sometime – your shoes turned out badass!

  3. Stella, on February 1st, 2010 at 11:03 pm Said:

    Brilliant.

  4. Style Eyes, on February 2nd, 2010 at 12:01 am Said:

    Thanks for sharing this project, they look amazing.

  5. Maggie, on February 2nd, 2010 at 1:11 am Said:

    Yours definitely look just as cool, and of course, they’re one of a kind! Very cool!

  6. Sher, on February 2nd, 2010 at 2:15 am Said:

    Wow, it actually looks just like the real thing!! I love the new look! This is definitely an amazing diy tip, thanks:)

  7. jasna, on February 2nd, 2010 at 3:17 am Said:

    Wow this is amazing!! Hope u had a good wknd! xx

  8. kat, on February 2nd, 2010 at 3:58 am Said:

    wow brilliant idea! it looks really cool! love your leggings too!

  9. apparellel, on February 2nd, 2010 at 5:59 am Said:

    oh wow! i used thumb tacks on a hat i made for a photo shoot. same sort of idea. what a great idea to do it with shoes though. awesome. thanks!

    xxx
    t

  10. daisychain, on February 2nd, 2010 at 9:01 am Said:

    seriously awesome

  11. margief, on February 2nd, 2010 at 9:59 am Said:

    what a simple way to make ur shoes look thats awesome! you nail varnish is cute too:)
    MargieF
    xxx

  12. MissAmy, on February 2nd, 2010 at 10:25 am Said:

    you rock, girl! i love this one! XOXO

  13. Sally, on February 2nd, 2010 at 11:19 am Said:

    BRILLIANT! I like the DIY version even better than the original.

  14. Becky, on February 2nd, 2010 at 1:13 pm Said:

    So cool! I need to try this :)

  15. missy, on February 2nd, 2010 at 1:45 pm Said:

    wow great idea!

    Missy
    Don’t forget to check out my valentines giveaway!
    http://thefashionfusion.blogspot.com

  16. Shin, on February 2nd, 2010 at 2:29 pm Said:

    Amazing DIY!! I love the studs!! I’m so tempted to try it right now! xoxoxoxo

  17. Love, on February 2nd, 2010 at 3:30 pm Said:

    Wow those are some awesome leggings! Where are those from?

  18. fashion therapist, on February 2nd, 2010 at 4:30 pm Said:

    Fantastic job on that DIY. They look great!

  19. Annie Spandex, on February 2nd, 2010 at 9:39 pm Said:

    Thanks for your comments, everyone! xox

    Wanderlusting – Did you use thumb tacks? It took only about an hour or so to complete mine, but I must admit my thumb was a little tender the next day.

    Michelle – I’d love to see yours! Yeah, these are definitely not going to fall out. They’re in there!

    Stella – Thanks! <3

    Style eyes - Thank you! You're welcome. :)

    Maggie - Thanks!

    Sher - Thanks and you're welcome :) They really do look like real studs.

    jasna - You too!

    kat - Thank you!

    apparellel - Oh, I'd love to see that..

    daisychain - Thanks :)

    margief - That's Sally Hansen Xtreme in Blue Me Away. The flash is making it look a bit lighter than it is, though.

    Miss Amy - xox!

    Sally - Me too! Thanks. Yeah, I was more patient and perfectionist with putting the tacks in mine so they'd be evenly spaced. That appeals to me more, but I do love the inspiration.

    Becky - DO IT! And send me pics :)

    Missy - Oh ok, I'll be right there..

    Shin - Yes, do it! And send me a link :)

    Love - The leggings are actually from eBay, and very inexpensive. I think these are the ones: click!

    fashion therapist – Thanks!

  20. Penter, on February 2nd, 2010 at 10:16 pm Said:

    The stud are so cool! ROCK!

  21. kirsty, on February 3rd, 2010 at 9:04 am Said:

    in love with these shoes – great DIY xxx

  22. he, on February 3rd, 2010 at 10:33 am Said:

    love the leggings!! theheels are really hott too

    come follow the first ever fashion blog from a guys POV, let He know what you think

    http://fashionbyhe.blogspot.com

  23. vnssa906, on February 3rd, 2010 at 11:10 am Said:

    how freaking sick is that? i’m obsessed with studs at the moment, and was looking for a way to transition it into spring. now i just need to find some cork sandals on the cheap :) gracias annie :)

  24. julia Luckett, on February 3rd, 2010 at 4:17 pm Said:

    this is genius! thank you so much for the insight! I am def going to try this asap!

    Julia

  25. Kate, on February 3rd, 2010 at 4:22 pm Said:

    Annie that is such a brilliant DIY! & those tights are killer.

  26. Jackie, on February 4th, 2010 at 1:27 am Said:

    I am also in awe :D I’m going home to look for something to stick silver pins in!

  27. Miss Neira, on February 4th, 2010 at 5:24 am Said:

    Awesome job! love them

  28. vint junky, on February 4th, 2010 at 9:41 am Said:

    You kill me annie…what a brilliant idea
    As my mum would say , you’re a very resourceful young lady!

  29. Adela, on February 4th, 2010 at 11:53 am Said:

    awesome job with the DIY! =D

    http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

  30. Heather, on February 4th, 2010 at 2:24 pm Said:

    I’m just itching to do this. Such an awesome idea.

  31. All Women Stalker, on February 4th, 2010 at 3:38 pm Said:

    That looks so darn amazing! I’m itching to try this :)

  32. Annie Spandex, on February 5th, 2010 at 2:32 am Said:

    Penter – Thank you! xx Good to see you stopping by :)

    kirsty – Thanks! xx

    he – Hi he, I think I’ve visited your blog before. Definitely worth a revisit! Thanks for reminding me.

    vnessa906 – Thanks! Send pics! x

    julia – Thank you, send a link! I want to see.

    Kate – Word. Thanks, Kate :)

    Jackie – Good luck! I bet you find something. I want to see!

    Miss Neira – Thank you!

    vint junky – Thanks, lol, I have to be. ;)

    Adela – Thanks! x

    heather – Dooooooo ittttttt! Thanks :)

    All Women Stalk – Do it do it do it! Send a pic!

  33. alixrose, on February 5th, 2010 at 1:46 pm Said:

    ANNIE this is awesome. I never would have thought of doing this. Way to rock it girl and I like your toe nail polish!

  34. x Corrine/Frock & Roll x, on February 5th, 2010 at 11:23 pm Said:

    Annie, these are absolutely INCREDIBLE!

  35. Amy, on February 6th, 2010 at 5:16 am Said:

    They are GORGEOUS. I’m going to have to hunt out a pair of wedges from my attic to give this a go :D

  36. Rachael, on February 6th, 2010 at 3:59 pm Said:

    They look fantastic!!

  37. hanako66, on February 6th, 2010 at 10:31 pm Said:

    they turned out amazing!!!

  38. WendyB, on February 7th, 2010 at 4:05 pm Said:

    Were your fingers sore after this?

  39. Marvelous Monday! : Wicked Whimsy, on February 8th, 2010 at 7:10 am Said:

    [...] Spandex comes through again with another fabulous DIY [...]

  40. Clare, on February 8th, 2010 at 4:52 pm Said:

    That’s a great idea, I’m going to have to rip you off :)

    http://iliketweet.blogspot.com/

  41. Annie Spandex, on February 9th, 2010 at 12:40 am Said:

    alixrose – Thanks! And the nail polish is Blue Me Away by Sally Hansen.

    Amy – Yes! Do it!

    WendyB – I admit my thumb was a little tender the next day, but not too bad.

    Clare – Do it!! Send pics.

    Thanks, everyone!!! I’d dying to see how yours turn out :)

  42. Winona, on February 9th, 2010 at 3:15 pm Said:

    Annie, this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Rock on, girl!

  43. Helen, on February 10th, 2010 at 12:37 pm Said:

    I am really quite desperate to have a go at this now. If only I actually owned any platforms. Woe is me!

  44. Annie Spandex, on February 14th, 2010 at 12:13 am Said:

    Winona – Thank you so much for shouting it out in your Blogback Mountain. I appreciate it! xx

    Helen – They will find you and then all will be well in the universe. Then send me pics because I want to see!

  45. futurelint, on March 13th, 2010 at 3:06 pm Said:

    I just made a pair of wedge sandals, so THANK YOU for the awesome DIY idea… mine are here

    http://futurelint.blogspot.com/2010/03/thumbtack-shoes-easy-but-painful.html

  46. Annie Spandex, on March 13th, 2010 at 6:15 pm Said:

    futurelint – Thanks so much! They look so much cooler now! Sorry about your thumb :]

  47. Anne Michelle, on March 23rd, 2010 at 10:55 pm Said:

    Thanks for making such a killer blog. I come on here all the time and am floored with the fresh information here.

  48. Selena, on July 27th, 2010 at 9:32 am Said:

    Awesome DIYing! Really inspiring stuff : )

  49. Lady Warfield Presents » Blog Archive » Annie Rocks Studs and Sparkles, on July 30th, 2010 at 8:11 pm Said:

    [...] at some of my favorite bloggers to get inspiration. And today, I Annie Spandex’ blog “DIY Thumb Tack Studded Shoe“, is loaded with my kind of inspiration!Please go read, to find out more. Such a great [...]

  50. Brittany, on October 13th, 2010 at 3:16 pm Said:

    these are AMAZING im making my own right now for a lady gaga concert ;D

  51. TOEFL ibt, on October 20th, 2010 at 6:33 pm Said:

    Been browsing your blog posts for several. Just want to let you know I truly love your website. Kudos!

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