Homemade Earrings
When making homemade earrings, size and weight need to be considered, but apart from that, anything goes. There are findings to attach any type of earring, bead or pendant to any ear wire.
Making homemade jewelry is inexpensive when you compare it to buying jewelry, and it allows you to use your imagination to create something original and unique for a loved one!
Don’t despair if your ears aren’t pierced, clip-ons or screw-ons are used in exactly the same way as pierced earring findings.
Homemade Earrings Featuring Pendants
Some jewelry pendants can be joined directly to the earring wire. Others need additional findings.
Pendants with holes which run from front to back hang directly on to the ear wire. With holes that run from side to side, a jump ring is needed.
Holes that run from front to back, but are too deep for the earring wire loop need two jump rings or a bail and loop. These two findings can also be used to give your homemade earrings a bit of extra swing.
Homemade Earrings Featuring Beads
A simple homemade earring is created by threading your choice of jewelry making beads onto a headpin. An important factor is the size of the hole in the most prominent bead.
If the hole is too large to fit on the pinhead a plain small cup at the base will ensure that your bead does not slip off. If the hole is very large (2mm or over) you will need a small bead at top and the bottom of your feature bead.
Cut the headpin leaving a generous centimetre. Bend the pin directly above the bead at a right angle and then curl the top of the pin into a loop with the round-nosed pliers. Your first attempt may appear a little untidy, this is perfectly normal.
What is important is that the loop is closed. If necessary make a small overlap. The loop can then be attached to an earwire.
By joining a headpin and eyepin you can create long and flexible homemade earrings with maximum swing. It’s not important with beads on headpins and eyepins which way the loops are formed, as the beads don’t have a definite front or back.
Hanging hoops enable you to arrange your beads in a circle.
Fill the hoop completely or chose a few select beads. Open the hoop and add your beads. With flat nosed pliers bend the tip of the hoop slightly upwards before replacing it in the slot at the top.
Making Earrings That Feature Both Pendants And Beads
A pendant set off by beads on an eyepin is an attractive design feature.
Start by threading your chosen beads on to the eyepin. Be careful to make your loop at a right angle to the existing eyepin loop. In this way the pendant will hang correctly along the line of your ear.
Where the pendant hole is too deep to attach comfortably to the loop on your eyepin, a jump-ring comes in handy. In this situation turn the loop on your eyepin in the same direction.
Earwires
For pierced ears the most popular earwire’s are long ball wires.
To attach your pendant or beads, the loop at the bottom is easily opened. The round nosed pliers are best because they will not bend the earwire’s loop out of shape.
Kidney wires are formed to close once in the ear. They have a partly formed loop onto which you attach a pendant or beads. Squeeze the sides of this loop together to secure.
A stud and hook are suitable for shorter and daintier style of earring. The loop is easily opened and closed with a pair of round nosed pliers. A scroll back or butterfly is needed to hold the stud in place in your ear.
Those without pierced ears have a choice of clip on or screw on earring findings. Jump-rings are useful additions and help your pendants or beads to hang freely.
Flat back jewelry findings are designed so that various pendants can be stuck to them. Choose pendants that have discreet holes and at least one side flat. Use an epoxy resin to stick the flat backed item onto your stud. Always follow the instructions on the glue packet.
Homemade Earring Projects
Pretty Crimp Bead Earrings
If you are looking for a lovely unique gift that’s kind to your wallet then look no further. These pretty crimp bead earrings are very simple to make and can be created using almost any type of bead.
Making Swing Style Earrings
Flexible beading wire is most used for necklaces and bracelets, but here is a way to make simple, modern swing style earrings.
Matching Homemade Necklace and Earrings
This classic homemade necklace and earrings set is an ideal starting place for anyone just starting out in jewellery making. Although I’ve used round glass beads for this particular project it works well with most other beads.
