DIY earrings - bringing some glamour to the bee...

Today we're going glam! Day to day my wardrobe definitely fits into the 'casual' category but every now and again I love getting dressed up! These earrings are the perfect accessory for such occasions :)

I present to you the joys of home made jewellery -these earrings are made with Swarovski crystals yet cost far less to make than what a lot of high street shops would sell earrings with just glass beads. I have a couple of go-to online bead shops that I would recommend for sourcing beads (if you're UK based) - The Bead Shop and and Beads Direct. Of course you could make these even more cheaply by using glass beads.

Details to make these exact earrings - you will need 5 Pearls (1 large, 2 medium, 1 small and 1 extra small), 4 Crystals (2 medium, 2 small) and 9 headpins.

1) Cut two pieces of chain which are four links in length.

2) Feed the largest pearl onto a headpin and use the flat nosed plier to bend the pin 90 degrees just a couple of millimetres above the pearl. Next create an 'eye' (the loop at the top) with the round-nosed pliers. Here's how to do that if you're not sure (these images are not from this project)...

Repeat this for the rest of the pearls and crystals.

3) Attach the beads to the chain in the following order -

1st link - Large pearl
2nd link - Medium pearl and 2 medium crystals
3rd link - Small pearl and 1 small crystal
4th link - 1 small crystal
(you will have the extra small pearl left over)

4) Taking one of the fish hook earrings, open it and add the extra small pearl and the chain.

Repeat steps 3&4 for the second earring.

If you're not used to manipulating wire then these may take a little while but it's a great skill to have as it will give you so much flexibility in jewellery making! Using this method you can create so many different effects, either by changing up the length of chain, size of beads or the type of beads!