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 “Witches Brew Bracelet”:“I'm waiting for those beautiful green rondelles to come back in stock! This is Halloween…” read »
on “Silly Summer Earrings”:“Thanks to all of you. Melody the knots are between the dangling beads. I usually sew…” read »
on “Silly Summer Earrings”:“Kids would love seeing and wearing these along with fun loving adults like me!…” read »
on “Silly Summer Earrings”:“So fun! You did a great job creating a fruity delight!
…” read »- on “Silly Summer Earrings”:
“Very cute! Where are the knots?…” read »
on “Silly Summer Earrings”:“These are just darn cute!…” read »
on “Czech Glass Mix Stretch Bracelets”:“So fun. I also like the silver tubes. Nice.…” read »
on “Czech Glass Mix Stretch Bracelets”:“Shin IL elastic cord is high quality and holds its shape really well. I've been really…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Quoth the Raven "Nevermore." I like your raven and your colors are fantastic!…” read »
on “Czech Glass Mix Stretch Bracelets”:“These are great for stacking. How does the stretch elastic hold its shape?…” read »
on “Rusted Duo”:“Perfectly suited for Lima's Home Page 'What's Fresh'!
…” read »
on “Czech Glass Mix Stretch Bracelets”:“I love layering stretch bracelets! These have a nice variety of interest that catches attention--but…” read »
- on “Woodland Trails Teadrop Necklace”:
“Love the lessons on wire wrapping!!…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Thanks KR. Yes we have a lot of crows here also. I think city crows…” read »
on “Some More Nuggets”:“Love the copper flower and the chunkyness of the bracelet. It makes a statement.…” read »
- on “Getting in the Groove Again”:
“Sweetjane, I am just catching up with everyone today. So sorry for all you are going…” read »
on “Dogwood flower”:“Your work with the alcohol ink always astounds me. This is gorgeous.…” read »
- on “Purple flower bracelet”:
“You will sell this quickly. It's stunning.…” read »
on “Truck necklace”:“This just screams "free spirit." So fabulous.…” read »
- on “Rusted Duo”:
“These are so interesting. The patina and the bronze work well together. Very unique.…” read »
- on “Polygon Drops”:
“Casual and fun. Very nice Sweetjane.…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Hey Beady. This is a great piece. I haven't checked in for a few days so…” read »
on “Rusted Duo”:“This is such an amazing design! I love the combination of metal component and bead…” read »
on “Polygon Drops”:“Interesting earrings! I almost always have a plan for the things I purchase because the…” read »
on “Polygon Drops”:“Thanks you all!! I got a bunch of vintage/retro beads from this seller. I just kinda…” read »
- on “Rusted Duo”:
“I really like this design! The duos really bring attention to the patina. Very cool and…” read »
on “Stackable Czech Glass Nugget Bracelets”:“Thank you!…” read »
- on “Polygon Drops”:
“Wow. I really love these earrings sweetjane. The shapes are very interesting. And the colors so…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Wow Crystal. Wish I could have seen that waving, slapping and shouting. How entertaining! Yeah ravens…” read »
on “Polygon Drops”:“These are gorgeous! I love the reversible drops. It basically doubles the number of…” read »
- on “Polygon Drops”:
“Very cool! Love the large shape, especially for longer hair styles. The fact that…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Beady, Haha. No, I was stand outside making a fool of myself waving my hands…” read »
- on “Rusted Duo”:
“So creative! You gave these a lot of thought & the end result is very…” read »
- on “Amber River”:
“This really feels like an amber river...I can almost see the motion. The pendant and the…” read »
on “Rusted Duo”:“Great earrings, Becca! Creative use of the miniduos...definitely unique!…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Robin - Darwin is doing quite well. He's a real menace. Strawberry Hill is $4.99 for…” read »
on “Rusted Duo”:“Unusual, pretty design. Love the miniduos and the color combination. Great earrings.…” read »
- on “Amber River”:
“Beautiful, happy necklace. The navy colored strap pulls it all together. Wonderful focal.…” read »
- on “The Raven”:
“Thank you all so much. Crystal - Duh, I forgot to add the raven to my…” read »
- on “Getting in the Groove Again”:
“Thanks you all...I really appreciate your comments! I got an order today....plus two custom orders!! It…” 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
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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?