5-Minute Simple Drop Earrings

No, this post is not one of my usual look-alikes.

It's just a super-simple and super-quick one, using findings I had laying around.

Feel free to use whatever beads you have laying around to make a totally original design!

Plus, you can make these earrings as long as you like. Mine were about 2" or so. The chic metal chain, against the pop of color from the beads make for a cool, city vibe!

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are pliers, 4 ribbon ends, earwires, two headpins, beads (crystals, or whatever you have lying around, make sure you have two bigger ones), and box or snake chain (the kind without links).

Step 2: Cut two equal lengths of your chain. Attach ribbon ends to each end, using superglue on the inside of the ribbon ends for extra hold. Attach ear wire to each chain.

Step 3: Arrange beads on your headpin, make a loop, and insert it into the other end of your chain.

Repeat for second earring. 

How easy was that!?

I love the look of the silver snake chain; it looks very elegant and much more sophisticated than cable chain. Make these in gold as well for a different look.

These are also surprisingly light, if you use plastic beads like I did!

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!

Orly Genger Knot Necklace

This Orly Genger  knot necklace is simple and totally doable for a DIY! You don't need mad skills to make it, either. Just some clay and a chain will do!

AND... you will save yourself $150 DOLLARS. Wow.

I made mine more of a grey-silver scheme because I had a silver chain. You can make your knot any color you want!

Simple and chic.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed is a necklace chain (preferably a box chain to get the same look), clay, clear gloss and a paint brush.

Step 2: Take a marble of clay and roll it into a thin snake about 2.25" long. Cut the ends nice to make them clean (with an Xacto or tissue blade). Tie this carefully into a knot, not pulling tight to keep an opening in the middle of the knot for the chain.

Steo 3: Bake your clay knot (I did about 125 degrees in my toaster oven for about 15 minutes or so) until it's cured.

Let cool, paint with clear gloss. Insert chain through opening in knot!

Gauge Inc BFF Necklace

What kind of friend wouldn't love a handmade necklace?

These necklaces by Brooklyn-based Gauge Inc. are 14K gold and come with a hefty price tag of $100. However, as you can see, they are totally doable for a DIY. And I'm sure your friend will love the handmade version much better!

These necklaces are super easy to make; you literally trace your handwriting with wire. Best part is you can use any color of craft wire to suit your bestie's tastes. Make one for them and one for yourself! Add charms, even, to the bottom of the f's for some sparkle maybe? Go wild!

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are pliers, plain craft wire (nothing special here!), a necklace chain and jump rings, a pencil, paper.

Step 2: Draw the form for your pendant. Make it look like this, or as close as you can get. The dimensions of the BFF are about 1.25" long and .75" high. Now, take a long piece of your craft wire, about a foot or so. Start at the loop above the "B". Simply curl the wire with round nose pliers to start. Then, "trace" your BFF with your wire, using your pliers and fingers to hold and bend the wire in place.

Step 3: Continue to trace. I have pictured the steps I took here. Make the wire fit your BFF form as close as possible. I used my fingers a lot to gently bend the wire in the right direction, then used my round nose pliers to get the details and precise form. 

Step 4: Sharpen the "F". I squeezed the bottom of the "F" with a flat pliers to get more of a sharp arc instead of a rounded one (second pic), to match cursive writing better. Then, when you've reached the end of the last "F", cut the wire with a little more than .25" to spare (last pic). Make a finishing loop with this excess.

Step 5: When you've got it finished, flatten the pendant so it's nice and flat and lays properly. Then, attach your jump rings on the loop on the "B" and top of the last "F", and attach these to your necklace chain. Finished.

Surprise your friend/s with these awesome necklaces! 

Dainty and cute!

A close-up.

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