Cheap-o "Oscar" Earrings

My next tutorial is another one of my "cheap-o" ones, using everyday materials to mimic expensive metals and gems! After seeing the Oscars, I knew I had to do some sort of tutorial...

I loved the jewel-toned dresses I saw as well as the Art Deco feel of the set. 

So these earrings are a mix of glitz, gems and super cheap materials! However,

they still shine and are definitely original. The mix of jewel tones make the earrings seem richer, and the geometric shapes speak to the Art Deco feel.

They come together quick, and the only real skill you need is gluing skills!

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are two earring wires (ignore the jump rings!), a party bead necklace (you know, those plastic metallic ones for Mardi Gras or New Years?) plastic flatback gems, and heavy-duty glue like E-6000.

Step 2: Take your party bead necklace and cut in half. Take 4 of the beads, and fold them next to each other, and then twist the string above them to lock them in a little square. It should look like the top picture, with two columns of 3 beads. Twist one more time to have two colums of 5 beads. I took my glue and glued the back of these beads, to stick them together in that pattern. I then placed a heavy book on top of the panel to hold it in place when it dried.

Step 3: Now you've got your panel and it has fully dried, cut off the rest of the necklace right next to the beads. Repeat for a second panel. Attach your earwire to the panel by inserting it into the loop of string that should be on one end of the panel (the other end will not have a loop).

Step 4: Now, time to add the gems. Get your glue out, and decide what gems you want. 

Simply glue the gems in the bead joints (make sure it is on the other side of the panel, no the one with the glue already on it.  Let this glue dry. 

Earrings done!

All photos and instructions copyright Allison Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations.

If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. It is much appreciated!