Exchangeable Earrings

This is the second project that will focus on accessory adaptability. This is a very simple craft; it allows for a great degree of versatility with very little effort. All you will need for the undertaking is earring backs (the ones below were obtained from Michael's), designer paper, clear tape, and Elmer's glue. 

Cut out circles that are the diameter of the recessed interior of the earring. For these earrings a one inch hole punch worked very well.  Next, laminate the paper circles or seal them with contact paper or tape.  Attach the circles to the earrings with Elmer's glue.  When you wish to switch them out, simply peel off the circles and scrap off any remaining glue.  

Cloisonne Bead Earrings (Part Two)

Cloisonne Bead Earrings

I guess this was just an earring sort of day. Earlier I rediscovered these 'cloisonne beads' in my jewelry stash. 

I wanted to try something different for the earring design.  I like how they ended up turning out; there is something vaguely avian about the final product.

Recycled Bead Earrings

This was just a short project for a lazy Sunday.  Taking the beads scavenged from an old floral bracelet, I made three different pairs of earrings.  

I like the vintage look of the beads themselves. The jewelry designs might need some tweaking. A project for another lazy Sunday perhaps... 

Chandelier Earrings

As you might have figured out by now, I tend to change projects pretty often. Some might claim that this represents a lack of focus, a fear of commitment, restless hands syndrome, etc. 

Personally, I think it indicates an explorer's spirit, the thirst for uncharted territory. Boldly going where no Linda has gone before.

However, I do have certain craft staples, projects or art forms that I keep coming back to.  One of my most enduring craft interests is jewelry making, earrings being a personal favorite.

So this is going to be a series. Every post will center around a different earring style of my design (or a style that I attempt to recreate).

Chandelier Earrings:

*Warning:  I am just an amateur jewelry maker so some of the terminology/descriptions might not be accurate.  Please don't hesitate to correct me.  That's how we learn!

Raw materials

Things you will need:

Crimp Beads

Beads (small, medium, and large sizes)

Fishhooks/French hooks

Wire/headpins/eye pins

Jump rings

The basic framework for the earring

 The framework of the earring is pretty simple. You take a length of wire or a head pin with the base clipped off, feed 3 crimp beads onto the wire, and then fold the ends into loops.  Bend the wire into a "U" shape.  Flatten the crimp beads slightly with pliers then feed the jump rings into the crimp beads.  Flatten the crimp beads further.  Finally, feed a jump ring  through the loops at the top of the "U".

The s-m-s "charms"

 Place three beads on a wire either in the pattern of small-medium-small (you will need 6 of these) or medium-large-medium (you will need 2 of these).  Using pliers bend the both ends of the wire into loops.

Fasten the m-l-m "charm" onto the middle jump ring at the base of the "U". All of the other jump rings, including the one joining the top of the "U" receive a s-m-s "charm". Let me know how they turn out!

The finished product