Weddingbee

Because there is seriously nothing to do in Winnipeg in the winter (FYI I’m out here till 2009 for Mr. Shortcake’s masters degree), I have taken to crafting. A LOT. I’ve always been addicted to my glue-gun, but now that I have a wedding to plan for, it’s becoming necessary to branch out into new creative fields.

For example, the last time I went to Oahu, I bought my bridesmaids each these lovely freshwater pearl necklaces, to go with whatever dress I eventually picked out.

However, I neglected to pick up any matching earrings, figuring that it would be easy to match their colour and irregularity cheaply back on the mainland. Nope.

Enter… my $10 “Dream” beading kit from the big W!

SHORTCAKE TUTORIAL: How to make your bridesmaids some supa-fine freshwater pearl drop earrings

STEP ONE: Collect the beads/semi-precious stones/pearls that you would like to use. You can get these at the big W (Walmart), or Michael’s, or even online for rarer or bulk items. You will also need fish-hook earring backs, “crimps” (small metal spacer beads you press), and jewelry wire.

STEP TWO: Assemble your instruments. Round-nosed pliers? Wire cutters? Check!

STEP THREE: Determine how long you would like your earrings to be - double that, and cut with a pair of heavy duty wire cutters. The wire I used was “tiger tail jewelry wire” - very soft and fine, but incredibly strong.

STEP FOUR: Pass the wire through the loop at the end of a fish hook earring back. Make sure the loop is completely closed, use your round nose pliers to make this loop tighter, if necessary. Ensure that the wire is folded exactly in half, bend and press firmly with your pliers so that the wire retains that shape.

STEP FIVE: Pull a “crimp” up over the two ends of the wire, all the way up to the fish hook loop junction. PRESS the crimp closed with your pliers. This ’squashing’ locks it into place.

STEP SIX: Pull your first bead/stone/pearl up and over the two ends of the wire. I used a small freshwater pearl.

STEP SEVEN: Pull a crimp up and over the two wires, position it just below where you want your bead to rest, and then press/squash it into place.

STEP EIGHT: Pull another bead/stone/pearl up and over the two ends of the wire, position as desired, pull a crimp up and over the two ends of wire, and squash into place beneath the bead/stone/pearl.

STEP NINE: Use your wire cutters to cut off the two wire ends directly beneath the last crimp. If you’ve “crimped” correctly, it will stay in place, and you have nothing to worry about!

STEP TEN: Repeat steps 1-9 for the other earring. Et Voila! C’est Magnifique!

How cute are these? And, I think, totally wearable again.

So, for the crafty at heart, these simple earrings are definitely quick and easy impact pieces. You can change the number/type of beads used, or even make multiple strand earrings by pulling the beads and crimps over only one wire at a time, and leaving the two ends uneven in length. These earring are great as BM gifts, MIL gifts, or even - if you have all the time in the world - as favors for the lady guests at your wedding!

Do you like them? What DIY touches are you planning to add to your wedding?