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 “Wrapped Neckwire with Pendant”:“Wow gorgeous !! Momma sitting indian style holding her baby .....how uniquely beautiful. ....statement for sure…” read »
on “I made a ring!”:“Sweet ring! Impressed with your neat, neat wrapping skills. Best of luck on the…” read »
on “Mustard Greens”:“Love the design of both bracelets, your use of your own components, and the joyful spirit…” read »
on “Positive Frame of Mind”:“I love this! Love the way you have the jumprings like a rose look with square.…” read »
on “Positive Frame of Mind”:“Thanks again.
…” read »
on “Mustard Greens”:“Lol - no worries - At least I can figure out shapes.
…” read »
on “I made a ring!”:“Sophiebug, have a tray of loose beads/stones/charms ect for sale too! If you don't have cards…” read »
on “Positive Frame of Mind”:“Kye, I just adore how you combine the most unusual elements into your designs. Chain…” read »
- on “Mustard Greens”:
“Love the colorful glass tipped headpins! The mix of color is so pleasing to the…” read »
- on “I made a ring!”:
“The stone looks lovely set with the prongs. Just the right size for an eye-catching…” read »
- on “Wrapped Neckwire with Pendant”:
“Moogie, Love the dyed silk wrapped around the neckwire! It creates a nice texture &…” read »
- on “Blue-Ringed Octopus”:
“Thanks bunches Moogie!
…” read » - on “Dalmatian wristband”:
“Moogie, saw your note posted here. I like this bracelet too. I was looking…” read »
on “Mustard Greens”:“Annie--I looked again and evidently I forgot about the bellflowers!!!! LOL Now I…” read »
- on “Mustard Greens”:
“LOL. Either the colour in my computer is way off or I need to get…” read »
on “2 Row Tagua Nut Link Bracelet”:“They are long gone! There haven't been any tagua nut beads here in years. You might…” read »
on “2 Row Tagua Nut Link Bracelet”:“Where can I get the oval links? It does not say anything about the main element.…” read »
- on “Mustard Greens”:
“Annie....thanks so much for your kind compliments;however, there's no purple in either design! LOL. I guess…” read »
- on “Positive Frame of Mind”:
“Wow! Gorgeous necklace Kye. There is a nice flow and balance in this design…” read »
- on “Mustard Greens”:
“Beautiful bracelets. I love the purple and mustard together. I also love the flowers…” read »
- on “I made a ring!”:
“You did a fantastic job on this ring! Your kept the coils straight on the…” read »
- on “Wrapped Neckwire with Pendant”:
“Not crazy! Creative, unique and imaginative. What a neat pendant design and love the…” read »
- on “Positive Frame of Mind”:
“This is such an artistic necklace! All the elements you used & how you put it…” read »
- on “Dalmatian wristband”:
“So, I'm just seeing this again & have a question. I've been doing a few bracelets…” read »
- on “Skull dream”:
“Fantastic set.…” read »
- on “Heart a flutter”:
“Beautiful. Love the focal and your design complements it so well. I also love…” read »
- on “Wrapped Neckwire with Pendant”:
“Thanks everyone! You make me feel like my ideas aren't crazy!!…” read »
- on “Positive Frame of Mind”:
“Thanks so much! You guys are always so sweet and positive. I really appreciate it. MM, I…” read »
on “Mustard Greens”:“I love mustard colored beads but wasn't sure how to combine them with other beads and…” read »
- on “Positive Frame of Mind”:
“Kye, I love this necklace. I love the chainmaille. You always combine your beads with your…” read »
on “Mustard Greens”:“I love these. They are colorful and look like fun to wear.…” read »
- on “Positive Frame of Mind”:
“One lucky sister will be the envy of her woodworking classes! Who knows, maybe it…” read »
on “Positive Frame of Mind”:“This is just gorgeous! I have never bought frame beads-I've never felt inspired by them. But…” read »
- on “Mustard Greens”:
“I love these! So colorful and fun. I have been collecting (some may call it hoarding…” read »
on “Mustard Greens”:“Very sweet! Great color combo. I see why you love the mustard teardrops.…” read »
- on “Positive Frame of Mind”:
“This piece is fabulous! I love those little chainmaille "knots". You should do a step by…” read »
- on “Mustard Greens”:
“These are great bracelets. I never know what to do with teardrop beads. Love the way…” read »
on “Positive Frame of Mind”:“This is fabulous! I adore what you did with the wooden frames. The colours are so…” read »
- on “Mustard Greens”:
“Wonderful! There's nothing I don't like about it, but I really love the way the teardrops…” read »
- on “Positive Frame of Mind”:
“I love wood and these frames are really a neat component. What you've done is stellar!…” 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 2 | $0.95 |
| Package of 12 | $4.45 |
| Package of 6 | $1.60 |
| Package of 36 | $2.75 |
| per foot: $0.70 |
Czech Glass Luster Verde 3 Petal Bellflower 9x11mm
BACK IN STOCK!
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?