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 “Denim Blue Jeans”:“Nutkitten, Thank you so much! I had a hard time with asymmetrical designs at first,…” read »
on “Denim Blue Jeans”:“Looked thru and all your stuff is gorgeous, especially the bracelets. I love the asymmetrical…” read »
- on “Wrecking Ball Earrings”:
“Interesting interpretation--whatever they represent, I think they're cool. They will have a lot of movement…” read »
- on “Tree Of Life?”:
“It's the first thing I thought when I saw it--go for it!…” read »
on “Flower Ear Wrap”:“All of your creations are so unique. Thanks for sharing them with us.…” read »
- on “It's a beginning...”:
“Fresh starts & new beginnings--something to really think about. What is more perfect than a…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Ditto everyone's comments! Nice use of the porcelain beads with the shard--and I love the…” read »
- on “It's a beginning...”:
“These are beautiful! I love the way you painted the butterflies. Remember - you are still…” read »
on “Frosted Birch Necklace”:“Elaina....I always love to see your designs! You've given me a great idea of what to…” read »
on “It's a beginning...”:“Beautiful work!I love butterflies! …” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Thanks you all!! K...if you could get a rock tumbler, or maybe there is another way…” read »
- on “Re Do For Nancy”:
“Crystal...I've never purchased anything from Spain...but frequently in the U.K. and France..never encountered any customs.…” read »
on “One More Shard”:“Stunning Jane- l keep coming back to look- such beautiful detail ! Love the shard…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Are these shards China dishes? I guess I’m not understanding what they are, but they’re certainly…” read »
on “It's a beginning...”:“I should have noted that these gorgeous brass butterflies (minus the paint) are here at LB.…” read »
on “It's a beginning...”:“Love these butterflies!! I can feel and say that it has been far easier to…” read »
on “Flower Ear Wrap”:“Thanks for modeling it. That gives me a better idea of how it looks. It's pretty…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“I love the shard designs. I actually found a piece of pottery on my walk yesterday…” read »
- on “It's a beginning...”:
“These are lovely. I know just what you mean. Sometimes I can manage to do something…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Now I'm wishing I had a plate from my grandma's blue willow pieces. They make…” read »
- on “It's a beginning...”:
“They are both lovely Lynda. I have always loved your simple , yet always elegant designs.…” read »
- on “Ear Cuff”:
“This one is my favorite of the ones you have shared so far. Why? …” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“What is it, about cobalt blue and white that is so lovely? A beautiful design!…” read »
- on “Yet Another Shard”:
“Here are the other photos... …” read »
- on “Flower Ear Wrap”:
“Cool! This one wraps around quite differently than the others. I bet the pink…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“NK, Thanks so much for posting the picture! What a great effect & extra sparkle…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“Ok when you said modelled, I though you meant how the actual item was modelled or…” read »
on “Desert Rain Earrings”:“love these!…” read »
- on “Flower Ear Wrap”:
“This is very pretty also. Thank you for the picture of it on the ear.…” read »
- on “Girls Need Pearls”:
“Crystal, seriously, get your chocolate and cookies, and whatever you need to provide stress relief today.…” read »
- on “One More Shard”:
“Sweetjane, I found a broken piece of pottery on my walk today. I don't know what…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“My favorite one is the one with the big drop bead, but this is also very…” read »
- on “Ear Cuff”:
“You are inspiring me to try to make some ear cuffs. They would be perfect for…” read »
- on “Frost Green Ear Cuff”:
“Got to agree with Crystal. You can never have too much bling and these are definitely…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“This is a cute one with the butterflies and lighter green beads. I would still…” read »
- on “Butterfly Cuff”:
“I really like the contrast in this one between the brass wire and the green beads.…” read »
- on “Ear Cuff”:
“I really like the simple nature of this ear cuff and the character it has due…” read »
- on “Frost Green Ear Cuff”:
“I see it's been a while since you've posted here in the gallery--welcome back! All…” read »
- on “One More Shard”:
“I think the shard focal has a wonderful presence in the design. I like…” read »
- on “Re Do For Nancy”:
“Oh my, this is absolutely beautiful! I love how the purples are pulled out of…” 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?