Dress up plain wedges: How to paint scales on wedge shoes

Looking to match a pair of leggings but only have white wedge shoes? This project creates the illusion of scales to match leggings with the same pattern and color, but you may use any color combination that goes with whatever you are wearing or carrying as accessories. Paint a white clutch the same as the shoes to make a statement.

If you don't want to match, try contrasting or complementary colors. Paint black and gray scales to go with white or purple leggings; yellow and orange scales with green pants; or pink and blue with black leggings. Regardless of what color you choose, remember the paint is not waterproof, so avoid stepping in puddles.

Materials
- White shoes with wedge heels
- Metallic paint: sapphire, aquamarine
- Paint palette
- Flat artist's paintbrush

1. Squeeze some of each paint into its own paint well. Dip the brush tip into the sapphire paint.

2. Point the brush downward so the flat tip is at the edge where the wedge meets the shoe's sole. Press the tip to the shoe and pull upward 1/4 inch. Continue making this brushstroke around the entire bottom of the wedge.

3. Dip the brush tip into the aquamarine paint. Point the brush downward so the flat tip barely overlaps the top of a sapphire mark. Press the tip to the shoe and paint upward 1/4 inch. Continue making this brushstroke for one line above the sapphire marks. You may not have room to add the aquamarine to the front of the shoe. Paint only where you have the room on the wedge.

4. Dip the brush tip into the sapphire paint. Point the brush downward so the flat tip barely overlaps the top of an aquamarine mark. Press the tip to the shoe and paint upward 1/4 inch. Continue making this brushstroke for one line above the aquamarine marks. Paint only where you have the room on the wedge.

5. Continue alternating sapphire and aquamarine lines until the wedge is covered. Repeat steps 2 through 5 for the second shoe. Let the paint dry before wearing the shoes.