Jewellery gift ideas part 7 - beaded hoop earrings

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace, woven earrings, teardrop necklace, ribbon wrapped comb

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So it really does not matter that I don't have any step by step photos of this. Mainly because there are only two steps...and they're pretty self explanatory - sometimes I feel that I'm just not needed - sob!

It's always fun to bring a bit of colour to your earlobes and these are an easy way to pack a whole lot of colour onto one pair earrings!

So quite simply open your hoop findings and add your beads. Close the hoop and use the flat nosed pliers to attach the hoop to the earring.

and...that's it.

I feel I need to make up something because that was too simple. But I like you so I won't.

Happy beading!

Jewellery gift ideas part 6 - tassel necklace

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace, woven earrings, teardrop necklace, ribbon wrapped comb

                                                                      ...................................................................................................................


I have a confession - I forgot to take photos of the steps for both this and the next gift idea. I have another confession - I considered recreating them but I'm writing this on a Saturday morning and I'm really enjoying just looking at this, this and definitely this. I promise I would take photos again if it was tricky but it's really not!

This necklace is lovely even without the tassel - so if your friend isn't a tassel fan then make a few of these necklaces in different colours to give as a set! But I think it adds a fun dimension and I'm always up for a bringing a little fun into my wardrobe!

The easiest way to make the tassel would be to use thread. However, I had this fabric which I loved the colour of, so I spent a little time pulling it apart. If you want to use a fabric then simply pull the threads which are parallel to an edge. (it's surprisingly therapeutic!)

1) For the necklace, cut a length of beading wire that is long enough to slip over your head.

2) Squash a crimp onto one end of the beading wire (approx. 4 cm from the end) and thread on your beads. Stop threading on those beautiful beads about 5 cm from the end.

3) Thread on another crimp and pull the other end of the wire through the crimp as well. Squash the crimp to secure the necklace and trim any excess wire.

4) For the tassel, take your threads and bunch together. Double it over. Taking a piece of wire (you won't need more than 10 cm) add a feature bead and then wrap the wire around the thread.

5) . Cut off any excess wire and flatten the ends into the tassel. Trim the thread to the length you like.

6) Loop a jump ring through the head of the tassel and add another jump ring. Add this jump ring to the middle of the necklace.

All done! Say if anything is not clear or if you would like step by step photos and I'll put some together.

Happy Monday!

Jewellery gift ideas part 5 - ribbon wrapped comb

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace, woven earrings, teardrop necklace
                               ....................................................................................................................

You can never have too many pretty things to put in your hair. This ribbon wrapped comb is so versatile, and if you get bored with the colours you could just unwrap it and do it again in different colours!

1) Simply take your selection of ribbon and wrap around the comb a few times to secure and conceal the end. Continue to wrap around the comb in whatever pattern you fancy :) I laid the narrower piece of ribbon on top of the larger one and then wrapped them round together.

2) When you've finished, feed the ribbon back under itself and tie a knot, cut the excess ribbon.

This has got to be the quickest idea so far, so there is no excuse not to try it! This is it for this week but I'll be putting up the final three ideas next week.

Have a great weekend!

Jewellery gift ideas part 4 - teardrop necklace

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace, woven earrings
                               ....................................................................................................................

I don't really own many 'sets' of jewellery, I quite like mixing and matching up different pieces. But sometimes it's nice to be able to pick up a pair of earrings that you know goes perfectly with the necklace you want to wear. Whilst this makes a really pretty set, the earrings or necklace also both hold their own ground so it's up to you which of these you make!

1) To make the teardrop you need to cut 3 pieces of wire. The overall size of pendant will depend on how long the base piece of wire is, so make that first. Either using a round object, your pliers or just your hands gently ease the wire into a curve, cut it to your desired length (plus approx 2cm extra for the eyes).

2) Cut two straight lengths of wire for the sides.

3) Make eyes at each end of all three pieces of wire. You do this by using the flat-nosed pliers to bend 1cm of wire at 90 degrees. Then, using the flat nosed pliers and starting at the end of the wire, gradually bend the wire back towards the 90 degree turn until it forms a loop.

4) Next attach the two straight pieces of wire to the base wire.

5) Take a headpin and add your bead. Trim if if needed and create a eye at the top of the pin

6) Join this to the 'teardrop' using a jumpring.

7) Next either thread a necklace chain through or attach to an earring. You're done! (well you'll need to repeat it if you're making earrings - unless you only want one earring I guess).

Happy Thursday!

Jewellery gift ideas part 3 - woven earrings

Unique jewellery is such a lovely gift and it's even more meaningful when you have put the time and effort into making it yourself. I love making and receiving handmade gifts, so I thought I would put together a mini series which will hopefully inspire you to whip out your jewellery stash and get creating!

The beauty of each of these ideas is that they are so versatile - you could either make them just as I suggest or simply use each of the tutorials as a springboard to that perfect gift.

Already made: Vintage inspired pearl and ribbon necklace, beaded pendant necklace

                               ....................................................................................................................

I love these earrings. I actually made a pair using this design years ago but used thin wire instead of thread. They turned out great, so if you wanted to do that I can assure you it works well! But I love this glitter thread, it makes me feel like I'm wearing triangular snowflakes - perfect for Christmas presents :)

1) Cut two lengths of wire and, using the pliers, bend the wire to create a triangle. Wrap wire around in a tight coil to secure the shape. Cut off any excess wire and squish (the technical term) the end flat against the wire with the pliers.

2) Cut a long length of thread and tie a knot around the wire. Keeping the thread taut, begin to wrap around the wire. Every now again wrap the thread over and under the wire to keep it secure.

3) Continue wrapping the thread until you have thickness you wish, then secure the thread with another knot. Cut off excess thread.

4) Finally add a jump ring and an earring.

Such a simple design but very pretty!

Next up tomorrow is a teardrop necklace and earring set...