The first installment in my "Handmade Holiday" initiative; my Arizona Sparkle earrings! These earrings are were inspired the colors of the west (bright turquoise and coppery crystals) but made to fit a very chic cocktail party or soirée-type event. With that said, I am sure that nobody would feel blue if they received a pair of these as a gift!
I am thinking these would be great for teachers, counselors, or any classy lady. This is a classic design that is timeless, however the large kidney earwire addition adds a contemporary vibe!
The mix of the matte gemstone and shiny, bright crystals make for a multidimensional piece!
This design would work in any color combination, really. Just make sure your colors contrast; stick with red+green, blue+orange or yellow+purple (this is a mix of a blue hue (turquoise) and orange (the brown crystals)). Red and green would definitely give a holiday vibe!
If you want to make these for yourself (yes, you do), they'd add a great pop of color and sparkle to a sophisticated holiday party outfit. Pair the earrings with a sleek black midi dress, detailed black booties and silver python clutch. Fall and winter is all about animal print! This would be a great and subtle way to work the trend.
*Outfit Credits* Dress and clutch by Generation Bliss, shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti
The materials I used for this can be bought at JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels. I bought these materials at Michaels. They are all from Cousin; I have attached a shopping list you can print up for easy shopping.
Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are roundnose pliers, wire cutters, 5mm crystal rondelles, turquoise gemstone beads (about 1" long), large silver kidney ear wires, and silver head pins.
To download and print a shopping list of materials, click here!
If you don't live near a Michaels or JoAnn, Cousin also sells at AC Moore stores and now at Walmart. You can find great supplies anywhere!
If you don't live near a Michaels or JoAnn, Cousin also sells at AC Moore stores and now at Walmart. You can find great supplies anywhere!
Step 2: String a turquoise bead on a silver headpin; create a top loop with your pliers, wrapping the extra wire around the bottom of the loop about two times; cut the excess flush with your wire cutters. Repeat with another bead, for your other earring.
Step 3: Add six rondelles on individual headpins. Bend the wire at a 90 degree angle right at the top of the bead, to catch the bead on the wire. Clip the excess wire off about 1/4" from the bend. Create loops with all the wire, but before closing the loops, add them to the turquoise bead you made in the last step. Add all six of these beads to the same loop.
Step 4: To finish, simply string on the large kidney ear wire to this same top loop of the turquoise bead. String it all the way to the notch in the earwire; this is where it will sit!
You are finished!
Package these up in little organza bags, tied with ribbon. A super cute gift!
You can make a lot of these little goodies in little time.
These would be great even for a birthday gift, it doesn't have to be just for the holidays!
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