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 “wild and free”:“That is a gorgeous necklace- you could so sell these at the Houston rodeo!…” read »
on “wild and free”:“Beautiful! Love the bail and the beads you chose to go with the pendant. The wavy…” read »
on “Goldfish and Axolotl Stretch Bracelets”:“Okay...now I can see what you fell in love with! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj0iq-bWnsg…” read »
- on “Custom order”:
“**Gasp** This took my breath away, Khristin! Beautifully designed and executed...from the PMC pendant to…” read »
- on “Glistening Rose Necklace”:
“These ready-made stone pendants look like a dream to design with...the rose quartz is beautiful!…” read »
- on “Blossom Garden Necklace”:
“Tierra Cast has the best quality metal components to design with...love these springtime charms and toggle…” read »
on “Journey”:“The journey has been fun, hasn't it?! The multi-strands really create a piece with substance…” read »
- on “Autumn”:
“Kye, I can't believe these...Chainmaille, leather, & gemstones...doesn't get any better than that! These…” read »
- on “funky bird”:
“What a beautiful pendant! I think those wire-wrapped drops are so unique. I'm glad…” read »
- on “Yet Another Fall Necklace”:
“Instant Favorite! I love the ivory leather & how it complements the beautiful focal! …” read »
- on “The Bird”:
“How playful is this!? Lots of movement & textures to please. Nice!
…” read » - on “Feeling blue”:
“Super bracelet! The 2 hole-bars & textured spacers are used in such a great way.…” read »
- on “Blue Moon”:
“I've also had my eye on that pendant...I'm glad to see a piece made with it.…” read »
- on “Citrine and Carnelian Beaded Bracelet”:
“Love how you wrapped those rounds in this design--Very cool idea!…” read »
- on “For Heather”:
“Robin, Thanks for the explanation of how you achieved that lovely color on the flowers. …” read »
- on “Blossom Wrap Bracelet”:
“I really like how the multi-cords create a fullness when wrapped. The choice of color…” read »
- on “Custom order”:
“Khirstin, your skills always amaze me! This is a fantastic piece and your friend will…” read »
- on “Colorful Dragonfly Choker”:
“I so appreciate all the wonderful comments! I'm glad you enjoyed my vision for a…” read »
- on “For Heather”:
“I used white lucite beads and alcohol ink. I also tried the colored lucite beads and…” read »
on “Blossom Wrap Bracelet”:“1.5mm or 2mm cord will work- no bigger than 2mm though…” read »
on “Colorful Dragonfly Choker”:“Love the colors and the GG dragonfly! Wonderful design for spring and summer.…” read »
- on “Blossom Wrap Bracelet”:
“Love this! Is that 1.5 or 2.0mm round cord?…” read »
on “For Heather”:“These are great! I share your "from scratch" emotion, and just wish you could tell…” read »
- on “Custom order”:
“When you ask for inspiration, you don't stop with the easy stuff! I'd say "bless you,"…” read »
on “Suddenly Abalone”:“Kye, your work is simply impeccable. This is beautiful! I would totally wear anything you make…” read »
- on “Custom order”:
“Wow, Khristin, I am in awe of your creative ability and design! This is so special,…” read »
on “Colorful Dragonfly Choker”:“Very nice design. You have talent!…” read »
- on “Thin Spike Earrings”:
“absolutely LOVE this design!!!!!…” read »
- on “Pearl Swag Earrings”:
“Awesome.....vert sophisticated.....…” read »
- on “Colorful Dragonfly Choker”:
“Ohmygoodness! Such a beauty! Thank you for sharing so we can all enjoy it!…” read »
- on “Colorful Dragonfly Choker”:
“Ditto to all comments! Lively, happy, beautifully arranged ... and my favorite, the dragonfly. Love that…” read »
- on “Colorful Dragonfly Choker”:
“What a pretty necklace! I love the color choices and of course I'm a huge…” read »
on “Colorful Dragonfly Choker”:“Oh boy! I have missed you and your wonderful designs! Welcome back and with an absolutely…” read »
- on “Pearl Swag Earrings”:
“very cute…” read »
on “Native Feeling”:“Love this!…” read »
- on “Goldfish and Axolotl Stretch Bracelets”:
“C, I haven't seen any of your designs in the gallery before--look forward to your…” read »
- on “Alcohol Inks are my new love”:
“Lovely!…” read »
on “Goldfish and Axolotl Stretch Bracelets”:“Crystal Canary, thanks for the photo!!…” read »
on “Suddenly Abalone”:“Thank you so much. I really appreciate the feedback.
…” read »- on “Colorful Dragonfly Choker”:
“I am so glad to see you posting again CC! I have missed you. Your necklace…” 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 3 items.
| Package of 6 | $1.60 |
| Package of 12 | $4.45 |
| Package of 36 | $2.75 |
You are viewing all 3 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?