Antique Gold and Garnet Heart Earrings
By: Nunn Design
Antique Gold and Garnet Heart Earrings
If you have an eye for antique aesthetic, these Antique Gold and Garnet Heart Earrings are sure to suit your nostalgic taste. This tutorial will show you how to create earrings with a charming vintage appeal using quality components from the Nunn Design line. Use garnet chatons to get the look seen here, or use chatons in the color of your own birthstone to personalize this earring design. This project will also show you how to make jewelry using pairs of facing bead caps to give the appearance of actual beads. How clever!
Project TypeMake a Project
Bead TypeCrystal, Metal
Time to CompleteWeekend project
Bead Technique UsedChainmail/Wirework
Bead Project TypeEarrings
Materials:
- Earwires Antique Gold
- Headpins 2” Antique Gold
- Bead Caps 9mm Coral Antique Gold
- Bead Caps 6mm Petal Antique Gold
- Elongated Heart Charm Antique Gold
- Chaton Birthstones Garnet
- Crystal Clay-Dark Brown
Instructions:
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Pinch off two equal (large pea) size balls, of Part A (the color) and Part B (the hardener). Knead the two equal size balls fully together until the clay is a consistent color and not marbled.
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Pinch off a tiny bit of the mixed clay to use later in the center of each flower petal. Roll the remaining amount of epoxy clay into two equal size balls. Press one ball into the base of one of the coral bead caps. Half of your clay ball should still be exposed. Press the second coral bead cap over and squish the two bead caps together. Repeat with remaining clay and bead caps.
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Stick a headpin through the center of the two pressed together bead caps. This allows you to have a channel through the center once the clay hardens. Repeat with second set of bead caps.
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To add the flower to the elongated hearts, use the tiny bit of clay we set aside from step 2. Press the bead cap into the clay. Repeat with second elongated heart.
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Apply a small amount of clay inside of the bead cap and embed inside bead cap. Using the beeswax toothpick, pick up the individual chatons and gently press each into the epoxy clay in the center of the inside bead cap. Repeat.
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Allow all pieces to cure 12-24 hours before assembling your finished earrings.
To Assemble the Earrings:
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Using one of the headpins, trim off the head part with a pair of cutting pliers. Repeat with second headpin.
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Using a pair of needle nose pliers, make a large loop on one of the ends of the headpin. Repeat.
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Thread the headpin through the coral bead made in step 2. Repeat with second coral bead.
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Using a pair of needle nose pliers, make a loop on the bottom half of the headpin. Prior to closing the loop, attach the Elongated Heart Charm. Repeat.
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Thread three headpins through three 3mm beads. Cut each of the headpins approximately 1/4 inch from the base of the bead with a pair of cutting pliers. Repeat with second set of beads.
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Using a pair of needle nose pliers, make a loop on each of the 3mm beads and attach the beads and an ear wire to the large loop of the coral bead made in step 8. Repeat.
