Sunday, November 23, 2008

Making Earrings 101 & GIVEAWAY

Supplies needed: sterling silver hooks, sterling head pins, sterling silver balls, needle nose pliers,
small wire cutters, glass beads.

I order all my silver products from Fire Mountain
Sometimes I get beads from there but I get most of them through local craft stores.

1st step : gather your supplies

2nd step: Assemble to your liking. I often use this pattern but there are tons of variations. I sometimes photocopy peoples earring, cut pictures out of magazines, or just peak around the www for ideas.

3rd step: Cut your head pin. Length is crucial and curl the wire. (I suggest practice with cheap stainless head pins) See the video of Maine Man doing this below. He helps me with this too, aren't I spoiled to have such an all around man? He does everything from slaughtering the chickens, laundry, and yes helping me make earrings.
That always drives my buddy Mary crazy because she does her own cutting and curling. She's just jealous! ;)

While I am talking about Mary she is the one who deserves ALL credit for this post as she was the one who introduced me to this. She is the "Martha" of earring making. She has 2 kilns and does all kinds of fancy stuff with fused and dichroic glass. Here's a picture of us a couple years ago when she got married. We go WAY BACK, we've been best friends for 20 years. I was the rebel kid that moved next door. She is more like a sister and let me tell you I had some dirt of her in that diary that went up in flames.
Ain't she cute? The bitch, I mean my buddy still gets carded. That ceased years ago for me.

When I am making earrings I often use an egg carton to put them into after they are assembled just to keep parts together and earring pairs matched up.




This is an earring I have from years ago that I saved. I want to make a pair using silver. I just bought some beads similar to. I just need some wire to wrap with.


These are a real easy pair to make, just add a hook. I bought the pewter fish pieces through fire mountain. They could be yours just leave a comment and let me know which one is your first choice and I'll mail them to you if you get picked.

These are already spoken for but I am going to the craft store this morning to get some more and as soon as my Fire Mountain order arrives with my headpins I'll mail you out a pair if you prefer these. I made these for a friend at work and she wore them ALL the time and says she got tons of compliments until she lost one. She begged me to make her another one "All I want for Christmas is..." is really how she put it and of course Santa came through. If these are the earrings you choose you will get them but there will be a delay. I am a woman of my word!

Choose from the 2 pair of earring just above, leave a comment with your e-mail or check back in to see if your the lucky one.
Giveaway deadline.....THANKSGIVING EVE at Midnight! Off to my nieces 1st birthday party!

19 comments:

Jodi said...

I just have to say those are lovely. Jewelry making is one craft I avoid. My craftroom can't handle making the room for all of the supplies (because I know I'd go crazy buying beads! lol).

Anonymous said...

WOW! That is quite a talent you have. Kim! Beautiful ear rings! I AM impressed!

Morgan said...

I LOVE THEM!!!!

maine momma of 3 (formally: stayathomemommy from maine) said...

I love them! You are so talented... I'm impressed ;)
If I had to choose I'd have to say I like the bottom ones better but they are both awesome!! Great christmas ideas ;) Hope you had fun at the B-day! We are off to one too... but a 6 year old party at Jokers (like chuck e cheese) isn't as much fun for me as a cute little 1 year olds party!!!!

Anonymous said...

I like the glass blue square ones and the fishy ones. I used to make hair things and such too.

goatpod2@yahoo.com

Don said...

Well, now I know what you do to help pass the time during the winter in Maine! They look nice. I like the fishy ones best...

Linda said...

they are all beautiful!! I've always wanted to give a try at making earrings..mmmm maybe someday :)

Mandie said...

I love all of those earings. But I would have to say that the last pair is my favorits. I like all of the different colors in them. I laughed out loud when I read your hunting experience, the potty break was hilarious. Good thing you didn't hit the ground with your bare butt.

Henry said...

Those blue ones are amazing! I'm not usually that much of an earring person!

quitecontrary1977@hotmail.com

citygirl said...

Her talents are limitless. She has a real flare for being a great friend. :) Hey...I am not just sucking up here (she really is a great friend)...and, I have been admiring her earrings all summer! And I can attest, Mary's earrings are gorgeous too! I say, surprise me!

And by the way, I was expecting that potty story to end with you landing on a sharp stick...but, alas, your story was definitely vivid...I felt like I was right there helping the Maine Man get you back on your feet! (After I wiped the tears of laughter away from my eyes so I could see where you went!)

Erica said...

They are all beautiful :) Way to go!

Throwback at Trapper Creek said...

Those are all gorgeous, thanks for the tutorial.

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

They are very nice Kim! You are very talented.

Farmchick said...

Love the earrings...they look great!!

Country Chick said...

I love all of them... they are all beautiful. I would love to be that patient someday to make such intricate things like that! Take care and have a great Thanksgiving! Janine
jcountrychik@aol.com

Sarah said...

Gorgeous! I'd get my ears re-pierced for those fish earrings! The ones beneath them are lovely too. I am in awe of artistic women like you.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tutorial, this is something I really want to learn to do. Now, if I could only manufacture time....

Country Girl said...

THANKD FOR ALL OF YOUR GREAT COMMENTS AND COMPLIMENTS. I AM REALLY NOT CRAFTY, THESE ARE REAL EASY!

JODI, IT IS EASILY TO GO NUTS BUYING BEADS.

THANKS CG, YOUR SWEET AND A GREAT FRIEND TOO!

Robbyn said...

Whoa, you're an artist! They're beautiful! So sad it took me this long to read some of these past posts...they're lovely :)