Sunday, January 30, 2011

Do It Yourself - Peacock Feather Earrings

Recently, I have been lusting after a cute pair of peacock feather earrings I mentioned in my post Accessories Under $40. I started to think about how easy it would be to make these at home for a fraction of the cost. So I did just that and headed over to my local craft store to gather all the materials. (I ended up getting a few sets of feathers as they were on sale).
What You'll Need:
  • Beads
  • Peacock Feathers (or any feathers of your choice)
  • Brass Wire
  • Earring Hooks
  • Brass Eye Pins (I had originally bought head pins which didn't work that well)
  • Wire Cutters
  • Needle Nose Pliers

Since I found a lot of the items on sale at Jo-Anne Fabrics and I already had the beads, pliers, and wire cutters, the total was only around $7. Not to mentioned I have supplies for three other sets of feather earrings!

Step 1:
First, you'll need to trim the feathers around the base and if using peacock feathers trim the extra feathers around the eye design so that there is about a quarter to a half inch of extra feather below the eye design. See the before and after photos below.
Before
After
Step 2:
Create a small loop with the brass wire.
Step 3:
Hold the wire in place next to the feather's base with the needle nose pliers.
Step 4:
Start wrapping the wire around the base so that about a 1/4 inch to a 1/2 inch of the feather is covered with wire. Clip extra wire with the wire cutters.
 
Step 5:
Do the same with the other feather. Your finished looped feathers should look the picture below:
Step 6:
Loop a bead into the brass eye pin and hook the eye pin into the loop created on the feather. Use the wire cutter to cut down the extra length on the other end of the eye pin. Create a loop on this straight side of the pin using the needle nose pliers. Repeat with the other feather.
Step 7:
Next, repeat the previous step with additional beads until desired number of beads and length is achieved. Finish by attaching the last loop to the earring hooks. Trim feathers additionally if desired. Viola, you're finished!
 
Both earrings side by side:

9 comments:

  1. WOW, that is an amazing DIY. Such fabulous end result!

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  2. Oh my gosh you make it look so easy! I think to finish it as nicely as you've done does require quite some talent

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  3. Thanks! I really have never made earrings before, but I appreciate the compliments!

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  4. Thanks for the great instructions, cute earings!

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  5. Awesome! ;) Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Love this DIY. Following on Bloglovin.
    ~Giselle
    http://www.machinewashwarm.blogspot.com

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  6. Oh my goodness! Please make a pair to sell to me! You're so creative : )

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  7. wow. It is so lovely.You are very creative.

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