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 “Bee Dream”:“Beautiful!…” read »
on “Primal Beginnings Set”:“Absolutely beautiful…” read »
on “Bee Dream”:“This is scrumptious. I love it. A very clever mix of awesome components.…” read »
on “Bee Dream”:“That chain maille looks so fabulous it must have taken forever! The bees are adorable as…” read »
on “Bee Dream”:“I can see why you both loved the different components! Both are beautiful!! The…” read »
on “Bee Dream”:“What a fortunate case of love! The lampwork is amazing - the leaves and wings look…” read »
- on “Peace & Love”:
“Serena D, I'm so glad you like my necklace. I don't have a step by step…” read »
- on “Peace & Love”:
“Do you have a step by step instructions for this. I Love It and want to…” read »
on “Peace & Love”:“Love it! Fun and playful.…” read »
- on “Summer Time Earrings”:
“Beautiful earrings Jane. Congrats on your Etsy sale!…” read »
- on “Peace & Love”:
“Thank you so much. It's sweet of you guys to take the time to comment on…” read »
on “Peace & Love”:“Yes, love those sweet little links...add a nice visual detail with lots of fluid movement to…” read »
on “Peace & Love”:“Very fun! I love it.…” read »
on “Peace & Love”:“Wild, bright n cheerful! Right on kye!…” read »
on “Hearts a Blu”:“Oooooh! Right into faves!…” read »
- on “Peace & Love”:
“Those links are great! They have enough substance to carry the piece, yet aren't so bulky…” read »
on “Summer Time Earrings”:“The bronze clay components were made by Petra...I never implied I made them. Thanks for pointing…” read »
- on “Summer Time Earrings”:
“Thanks to you all for the lovely comments....I just got my first sale on Etsy!!…” read »
- on “Summer Time Earrings”:
“The porcelain components were made by Scorched Earth…” read »
on “Peace & Love”:“Absolutely a WOW! Love the color but appreciate and love the chainmaille.…” read »
on “Peace & Love”:“Totally groovy!! Love all the colors.....takes me back to my youth! Lol. She will love it.…” read »
on “Peace & Love”:“Perfect--She will love it! Dyed Howlite always packs such a colorful punch in designs. …” read »
- on “Summer Time Earrings”:
“You did a fantastic job highlighting those great earring components. Both stylish and a lot…” read »
- on “Peace & Love”:
“Very cute and hippie-like!…” read »
- on “rainy day earrings”:
“I just love what you did with those cloud links. The rose quartz drops hanging…” read »
- on “PMC Made from a rose”:
“Wow Lynn, this is beautiful! Love the details. Is there a rose bud under…” read »
- on “Peace & Love”:
“That special young lady will love this! The chain maille and 6o's vibe beads is…” read »
- on “Peace & Love”:
“So cute!…” read »
- on “Summer Time Earrings”:
“These are lovely. I could not pick a favourite, but I am pulled by the…” read »
on “rainy day earrings”:“These are a fave!…” read »
- on “Summer Time Earrings”:
“I agree that there is something for everyone in this grouping. They are all so…” read »
- on “Summer Time Earrings”:
“Cute, cute, cute! I love them all!…” read »
- on “Summer Time Earrings”:
“What a great assortment of fun earrings. There's something for everyone. It's hard to pick a…” read »
- on “Summer Time Earrings”:
“Beautiful grouping of summery earrings. I like them all, but especially the moon and stars pair!…” read »
- on “PMC Made from a rose”:
“I have no idea how you did this but it's beautiful!…” read »
- on “rainy day earrings”:
“These are so pretty
The clouds are a nice touch.…” read » 
on “Honey Do List June 2017”:“All I can say is WOW love everything about this, Great Job!! Hope hubby is proud…” read »
- on “Moonshine”:
“Nice bracelet but I agree about the hook clasp also, like its to big or something!…” read »
- on “Polymer Play”:
“Your pendant tuned out awesome, and the necklace too!…” read »
- on “Hearts a Blu”:
“Wow this is a really cool piece! I like the combo of the beads and the…” 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 6 items.
| Package of 12 | $4.45 | OUT OF STOCK |
| Package of 2 | $0.95 |
| Package of 6 | $1.60 |
| per foot: $0.70 |
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5" strand
Was $7.90 —
You save 30%
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$5.53 |
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½ strand (loose)
Was $4.20 —
You save 30%
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$2.94 |
You are viewing all 6 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?