The Design Gallery
Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Yumyumyum!!! Chzechs are just so amazing! And a great design, just the inspiration I need to…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“Love the combo of skinny leather and the focal bars -- would be good for everyday…” read »
- on “Turquoise moon mix”:
“Ditto to all the above!
Love the solution and the combo of large gemstones and…” read » 
on “Feather and Flowers”:“Beautiful! Love the simple color scheme with the Vintage brass findings.…” read »
- on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:
“Oh man this is wonderful. Such beautiful color and design. You have such a special way…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“What can I say? Your work is always just so beautiful, one can only hope to…” read »
- on “Feather and Flowers”:
“Wonderful! I agree with everything the ladies have said, and I love it!…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Wow, this is gorgeous! I love these colors-saving this for future inspiration!…” read »
on “Feather and Flowers”:“Love your design! Love your wirework! Just a Fabulous necklace!…” read »
- on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:
“Beautiful! Love the colors of the beads and the colors do remind me of a beautiful…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Nice! I really like the subdued mix of color using the Czech Fruitcake beads. …” read »
- on “Feather and Flowers”:
“I also like the color progression of the beads on the sides. Nice touch to…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Yum! I love this piece! I recognized it as yours before I even scrolled…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“Absolutely beautiful. I love Czech glass, and seeing new ways to use it. Thank you for…” read »
on “Fruitcake with bees and bird”:“This is really gorgeous and must have taken quite a bit of time to design and…” read »
on “Feather and Flowers”:“Love the ombre effect. So beautiful.…” read »
- on “Feather and Flowers”:
“This is simply exquisite!…” read »
on “Beach Day Necklace Set”:“Of the designs you just posted, this is my favorite! I have to say I'm not…” read »
- on “Ode to Summer Passing”:
“Ha, I'm with Pam! Living in Texas & before that, South Louisiana, October is maybe the…” read »
- on “Terrace Dragonfly Necklace”:
“What a great necklace for Fall! I bet the wood beads lighten it up some. That's…” read »
- on “Once Apon a Time”:
“I like it! It's very unique. My story when I look at it is playtime is…” read »
- on “Here Be My Dragon”:
“Thank you so very much!…” read »
- on “Classic Acrylic Chain Necklace”:
“I'm with Crystal Canary! I love light weight jewelry also. That's why I use…” read »
- on “Classic Acrylic Chain Necklace”:
“Love tortoise...Love light-weight jewelry--perfect solution!
…” read » - on “Classic Acrylic Chain Necklace”:
“I've been wearing tortoise shell glasses for most of my life. I have a pair on…” read »
- on “Classic Acrylic Chain Necklace”:
“Tortoise shell acrylic has been a long-time love object of mine, too. Love this necklace, and…” read »
on “Skinny Stackers”:“I can see these skinny, colorful pieces being popular to wear alone of stacked up! …” read »
- on “Turquoise moon mix”:
“Love wrist candy! Your bracelet accomplishes a stylish mix of leather, color, sparkle. Appreciate…” read »
- on “Terrace Dragonfly Necklace”:
“I've always looked at this gorgeous dragonfly pendant on LB, but never knew what to do…” read »
on “Some Earrings”:“Good luck with Etsy, you have nice offerings! My best tip is to take excellent photos…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“I love the look of alcohol ink on just about anything. Looks wonderful on PC. I…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“Love the rich color you get with this process. Great idea using leather too. Wonderful stackable…” read »
- on “Granite Donut With Agate & Jasper Sprinkles”:
“Beautiful…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“Gorgeous and what fun!…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“Fun bracelets with a rainbow of color! Nice work ☺…” read »
- on “Skinny Stackers”:
“These are beautiful and very impressive! They would look great stacked and perfect for the…” read »
on “Skinny Stackers”:“These are very cute! They would look great stacked. Perfect for fall.…” read »
- on “Radiance”:
“Finally,I see really lovely piece! It was beautifull with a chain, but came out nice in the…” read »
- on “Fiber Sparkle Dangle Bangle”:
“I like the bracelet but I would rather use thin leather to connect the two bangles.I…” read »
- on “Turquoise moon mix”:
“I love the soft colors and the contrast of textures in this! Just like Crystal Canary…” read »
Whimsy Bird Earrings
About this design:
These earrings are part of a series of earrings I have put together called "Non-Identical Twins". In this series, I explore how to make earrings match or go together without having to be identical. The birds in these earrings are captured in different moments within their day. One earring shows the bird dancing on the branch, while the other shows the bird sitting on her nest. Each earring dances on the ear with little surprises like the twirls of wire and sparkle of crystal, or the ribbon that turns into the branch.
What you’ll need: (buy products below)
- 2 Kylie Parry Ceramic Copper Patina Birds
- 2 Vintaj Naturall Brass Willow Branches
- 27 Crystal Faceted Rondelles 4mm
- 2' Rusty Bucket Hand-dyed Silk Ribbon
- 1 Beach Stone Pebble
- 3 3" head pins
- 2 ear wires
- 11 1" head pins
- 2 Czech Glass Bellflowers
- 3 Vintaj Natural Brass Etched Jump Ring 9.5mm
- 13 Vintaj Natural Brass Jump Ring 4mm
Additional Images:
Helpful Hints:
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Hint 1: The ribbon can be made to look like a tattered branch by knotting it all the way down. |
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Hint 2: I made a nest under the bird out of ribbon by "stitching" my headpin through the ribbon, zigzagging about 8mm apart. Then I put the bird on the headpin squishing the ribbon down into a nest. |
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Hint 3: To balance the branch that the bird is sitting on, I made sure to have something weighting down each end. I used the bellflower to introduce some color and added sparkle with a few crystals hiding in and around the flower. On the opposing end, I created a twirling branch made from a headpin with crystal, stitched ribbon, and a few jump rings. |
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Hint 4: To make the twirly headpins, string the beads you want onto a 3" headpin. Create your wire wrapping loop as you normally would, but instead of trimming off the remaining wire, coil it around your round pliers or a tiny straw or tiny stick. Voila, instant whimsy! See Tip: Wire Wrap a Charm |
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Hint 5: It's important to use almost the same components in each earring. This keeps them from being too busy and will keep them well balanced. |
Buy Products from this Design
You are viewing all 7 items.
Vintaj Natural Brass Etched Jump Ring 9.5mm - 15 gauge
BACK IN STOCK!
| Package of 12 | $4.45 |
| Package of 6 | $1.60 | OUT OF STOCK |
| Package of 2 | $0.95 |
Vintaj Natural Brass Jump Ring 4mm - 21 gauge
BACK IN STOCK!
| Package of 36 | $2.75 |
| per foot: $0.70 |
You are viewing all 7 items.
On Aug 18, 2011 at 2:19 pm #
Mary - Sweet Chick says:I absolutely love these Ali!! All your components and special additions make these great “Earth girl” earrings!
On Aug 18, 2011 at 3:40 pm #
1flowerchild says:These are wonderful, Ali! I love the “nature” look of these earrings!
On Aug 19, 2011 at 11:15 am #
FaeryGoth Chick says:Beautiful earrings!
On Aug 19, 2011 at 12:41 pm #
Eeka Mouse says:These are great, and I love the asymmetry.
On Aug 19, 2011 at 7:55 pm #
Fenya says:How cute are these?!!! Very talented artist!
On Aug 20, 2011 at 9:54 am #
D D Mystic Chick says:these are so cute! really like how all the different elements came together!
On Aug 22, 2011 at 8:52 am #
Chicky Zee aka Alice says:Beautiful earrings!
On Aug 25, 2011 at 7:49 am #
Linda Talbott says:I love your birdie “Non-identical Twins” earrings. They are wonderful, and you really pulled it off.
On Oct 11, 2011 at 3:09 pm #
Florecita Farm says:These are adorable!
On Oct 13, 2011 at 3:59 pm #
thejoyfulgem says:I love these! (and asymmetrical designs). Good Job.
On Nov 11, 2011 at 9:54 am #
never enough beads says:I love these! Funky and Fun.
On Jan 01, 2012 at 1:52 pm #
S Burns says:Very creativde. Not only did you make a pair that goes together but each stands on it’s own.
No one could walk by these without making a comme nt
On Jan 16, 2012 at 1:54 am #
Cindy K says:Awesome earrings. Very creative.
On Feb 13, 2012 at 12:37 pm #
S rowland says:very inventive! keep your imagination turned on!
On Mar 05, 2012 at 9:49 pm #
Rozanne D says:These earrings are so unique and whimsical. They inspire me to be more creative!
On Apr 05, 2012 at 10:41 pm #
A ibarra says:Ali you are so creative, a true artist!
On Apr 19, 2012 at 9:07 pm #
K Koornneef says:What cool earings….so much like something I would do….meaning that they don’t have to be the some…I love different and earings that are not always identical. Thank you so much for the idea. You helped release the creative juices out of me!!!! So appreciate it!!!
On May 26, 2012 at 2:35 pm #
bette4art says:I have just joined Lima Beads (great name!!) and found your work. You are so inspiring and authentic. I work in many mediums and these earrings are kindered to what I do. You rock!
On Jul 25, 2012 at 12:01 pm #
Veronika M says:Fantastic! You are the best! This is one of my favorite and I know now how long and hard to learn this skill. Thank you for this beauty!
On Jan 10, 2013 at 6:39 am #
doggiedoodoo says:you have a beautiful imagination – I am so inspired by your jewelry – such a flair for the artistic – sooo important to stunning one of a kind jewelry -
On Mar 29, 2013 at 9:07 am #
Francesca C says:amazing
On Mar 29, 2013 at 5:05 pm #
Sondra G says:Order some of the materials today… Can’t wait to make these sweet earrings.
On Aug 23, 2013 at 1:50 am #
Empty Nest Chick says:Ali, I love the freedom you allowed your imagination in designing these earrings! They’re wonderful!
On Sep 18, 2016 at 3:09 pm #
Dianaeve says:Where can I find those adorable ceramic birds?