American Dream Earrings

I usually don't post holiday-related tutorials, but I had all these components laying around and couldn't resist. My American Dream earrings were made to look like shooting stars, so very fitting for the Fourth of July.



I used all Cousin Corporation materials, which you can pick up at any major craft store: Michaels, JoAnn Fabrics, AC Moore, Meijer and even Walmart. I first posted this video on my Snapchat (follow me @thequietlion for more exclusive tutorials and giveaways!) but have attached it below in case you missed it. They come together pretty quick, it's just a matter of measuring chain and connecting all the charms that's the most tedious.



Here's a list of the specific jewelry-making materials I used:

-Cousin Jewelry Basics 9pc Metal Charm Shapes - I used just the star shapes from this pack, which includes hearts and clovers.
-Cousin Jewelry Basics 8mm Siam Round Crystals
-Cousin Jewelry Basics 8mm Sapphire Round Crystals
-Silver link chain
-26g Silver Wire
-Silver Fishhooks, 4mm Jumprings, Silver Headpins
-Roundnose, Flatnose pliers and wire cutters

Follow the video from my Snapchat below for the tutorial!

Disclaimer : No Doughnuts were harmed in the making of this tutorial! ☺

COPYRIGHT

Because I take all photos for my blog, the images within this post are all copyright Allison Beth Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations. If you'd like permission to use a photo, email me at allison@quietlioncreations.com

firecracker daisy earrings +diy

A bright pop of color! These super cute Firecracker Daisy earrings only take a simple technique to create dazzling bead-woven beauties!



These earrings are a little longer, but if you want to stick with just the top flower that's ok too! I've chosen to mix a hodgepodge of colors here to give it that twinkling look - you can choose to use only certain colors if you're making these for a specific outfit or something!



These give off such a summery vibe, and would be great to wear to summer parties, picnics, or other get-togethers. Most of the beads and jewelry supplies I will be using are from PandaHall, but you can find similar materials and such at your local craft store.



Let's get started!



Step 1: Gather materials. Needed is 24 gauge wire (mine from Cousin), gold earring hooks (18mm long iron fishhooks from Pandahall), wooden beads (4X6mm colored wood oval beads from Pandahall), glass crystals (sky blue faceted 4mm bicones from Pandahall), seed beads (size 8 opaque mixed color beads from Pandahall) and pliers (flat nose, round nose and wire cutters).



Step 2: To make the smaller flower, start by cutting a 5" piece of your wire. Thread on a wood bead and a seed bead. Thread the end of the wire back through the wood bead (picture 2), keeping most of the wire on the rightmost side. Thread on a wood bead then another seed bead at this long end, and thread back through that wood bead, pulling tight to your first wood bead. It should look like the rightmost picture.



Step 3: Continue with this technique, adding "petals" until you have 6. To finish, twist both free ends of wire together tightly and then cut off the excess. Repeat for a second flower.



Step 4: Make another flower, but this time, add two wood beads per petal and make it 8 petals. To add the crystal centers, cut a 5" piece of wire and thread on 5 crystals; twist together to create a loop. Wrap around the center of the large flower, weaving up and down and in-between beads to secure. Add one more crystal in the middle and wrap again. Twist the ends and cut.



Step 5: Add a crystal center to the small flower, only using 3 crystals this time. To adhere your flower to the fishhook, use a small cutting of wire and thread through one of the seed beads. Create a wrapped loop and attach a jumpring. Add that jumpring to the fishhook. Do the same with the bottom petal of the small flower, and the top petal of the large flower to finish. Connect both with a jump ring.



These are super summery and fun. Nothing I would personally wear (with favorite colors black, black and more black) but my mom would love these. I'll give 'em to her!



All  photos copyright AllisonBeth Cooling. Do not post or reuse without crediting me and linking to me!

lucky lantern earrings

Taking notes from my new Chinese calligraphy book, these well-balanced, lucky golden earrings are a great accessory to add chicness to any outfit.



What makes the design are these cool golden hematite beads from Pandahall- I love the slightly faceted look and the liquid metal shine. Offset by more earthy, faceted turquoise beads, the gold pops. The geometric shape of the earrings remind me of those cool Chinese paper lanterns (I have them hanging in my room, love them).

Creating beaded links and connecting them is what this tutorial's all about. I of course added a crystal drop to finish off with a bit of sparkle. When don't I use sparkle?!

I also really love the bright blue color, but it's not too much - these still are super sophisticated, great for work or office attire.



Step 1: Gather materials: needed are pliers (round nose and wire cutters), gold wire or eye pins (eye pins are so much easier), headpins, gold chain, faceted gold hematite beads from Pandahall (similar here and here), 4mm faceted turquoise beads from Pandahall,  6mm Austrian bicone crystals from Pandahall,  and gold jump rings.



With either your eye pins or pieces of wire (you could also use wire scraps, much like I did in my Modernist Hand Bracelet tutorial) create beaded charms using three gold hematite beads per charm. You will need only 6 charms for this earring tutorial.



On another eye pin, string on a turquoise and a bead link - repeat twice more, then finish with turquoise. Bend headpin at right angle to last bead. Make another bead charm with the grey Austiran crystal on a headpin. Group the bottom three loops of the hematite charms with a jumpring - add a turquoise bead link, then the crystal. Finally, create a loop out of that excess wire and cut flush. Add a turquoise bead charm on each loop of the eye pin. Yours should look like the rightmost picture.



Add a jumpring to each side of the eye pin. Now, add about a 2" piece of gold chain to the jump rings. Simply add your fishhook to the middle of this length of chain. Repeat for the second earring!

I could totally see these working in different color schemes. Gold and black would work well for a completely neutral palette. Or, go with gold and silver for a mixed metal theme.

Being surprisingly lightweight, these earrings flow in the wind, and have a lot of movement to them. I love chandelier earrings that won't totally stretch my ear out, right?!



I'll leave you to view the rest of the glamour shots. If you make these using this tutorial, be sure to post on instagram and tag me @quietlioncreations! I'll repost you!

 

 

All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations. Do not post or reuse without crediting me and linking to me!