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 “Who knew? Not me!”:“Oops, great things.…” read »
- on “Who knew? Not me!”:
“I had time later to google embossing metal with these design folder...I'm behind the curve !…” read »
on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:“I'm not usually so into pink, but those first pair of earrings (the ones with the…” read »
on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:“Oh, I see what you mean now...I thought you didn't like the blue color and wanted…” read »
on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:“I had added an unneeded "yellow-black-yellow" seed bead set right after the blue on one side…” read »
- on “Who knew? Not me!”:
“Wonderful find and experiment! The earrings are gorgeous--love how the patina brings out the embossing.…” read »
on “Who knew? Not me!”:“WOW! Another new project to put on my list to try! The earrings are…” read »
on “One Fish, Two Fish ...”:“Ali, Great idea and you did a terrific job. Love it!!!…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
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- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Beautiful soft hues of pink can bring out the feminine side in all of us. …” read »
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on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:“Beautiful collection!…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“I see what you mean. Still a beauty tho. I bet you end up restringing it.…” read »
- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Cheerfully elegant!…” read »
on “Frosted Snow”:“Three brown bear were in my field 2 days ago and all I could think about…” read »
- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Beautimuss!!!!…” read »
- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Yes, I think I would find this addictive. It's really beautiful, and in the combinations you've…” read »
- on “Misfit”:
“This is sooo cool! The mix of components and textures is striking. I love the smooth…” read »
- on “Things are Coming up Rose Gold!”:
“Sarajo, what gorgeous pieces with the rose gold patina! The rose gold came at the…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“Oh no Look.The base doesn't match. Wonder if I should restring. ..…” read »
- on “Frosted Snow”:
“I love looking at snow from the inside or on TV. I don't like the…” read »
on “Frosted Snow”:“Crystal canary we do not get much snow here in Pennsylvania, thank you…” read »
- on “Frosted Snow”:
“The simplicity is a winner. Love those Zola elements you include in your designs. Beautiful necklace…” read »
- on “Frosted Snow”:
“The simplicity is nice with this one, and I like those white rings on the bottom…” read »
- on “Bee Grateful”:
“Nice touch and style, makes me want to create something unique…” read »
on “Turquoise Necklace”:“Crystal the pink stone is Lavender Coral Rose Mountain Jade.…” read »
- on “Awesome earring display”:
“Yeah. I'm not gonna lie here, but my husband IS pretty awesome! Thanks, everyone, for the…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“I love the arrangement of this necklace! The two large stretches of maple leaves is…” read »
- on “Awesome earring display”:
“Great idea!…” read »
- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
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- on “Men's or Women's Viking Choker”:
“Well, you've hit it out of the park again! I would wear that and so…” read »
- on “Bee Grateful”:
“Wonderful! I really like the effect of the English cuts, too. Just a great bit of…” read »
- on “Bee Grateful”:
“I totally agree with all the comments on this gorgeous piece, but my eye was caught…” read »
- on “Awesome earring display”:
“That's exactly the kind of out-of-the-box thing my dad would have done. You have an awesome…” read »
- on “Turquoise Necklace”:
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- on “Bee Grateful”:
“This is so pretty. All the yellows are so fun and cheerful.
…” 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.
| Package of 12 | $4.45 |
Vintaj Natural Brass Headpin 3" - 21 gauge
BACK IN STOCK!
| Package of 6 | $1.60 |
| Package of 2 | $0.95 |
| per foot: $0.70 |
| Package of 36 | $2.75 |
|
5" strand
Was $7.90 —
You save 40%
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$4.74 |
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½ strand (loose)
Was $4.20 —
You save 40%
|
$2.52 |
Last Chance—All sales final.
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?